I brushed a thumb along her bottom lip, the one she’d been abusing. “If you are concerned about kindness, start by showing yourself a little more. You worry far too much. Everything is going to work out wonderfully.”
I didn’t understand her reaction. The widening pupils. The soft, open mouth.
She was a physical creature, that much was clear. Demons weren’t affectionate like mortals were, but all demons and demon kin understood that mortals were different.
And I’d been paying attention to her.
I’d thought that touching her would calm her down. Soothe her.
But instead, she looked stunned. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly. On top of that, her skin was giving off a soft pink glow.
Was that a conscious reaction? Did she think we were going to fight?
I dropped my hand, troubled. “Forgive me. We should go.”
Clove shook her head and touched her glowing cheeks. Like she couldn’t quite believe what had just happened. “F-forgive you? For what? But you’re right. We only have a few hours until the exam, and if we’re going to make it, you need to know at least one spell.”
Then, she glanced at the dagger in my hand. “Why haven’t you transformed your weapon?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
She showed me her hand and the ring on her middle finger. “Usually, most weapons can transform into rings. Easier for carrying. I’m sure that one does too. Try it.”
I pulled it out. Following my instincts, I reached forward with my mana. Clumsily.
Since arriving, I’d been aware of the light mana filling my body. Whatever energy this world gave off, it naturally replenished me with its power. Just like the Underworld did with dark mana.
However, I didn’t yet understand how to wield it. Despite commanding it as powerfully as I would with any spell, this mana slipped through my grasp like sand.
It didn’t wish to be held in a fist.
However, I managed to retain just enough to compel some toward the weapon, paired with my intention.
Transform.
The blade instantly shimmered and then reappeared as a red gemstone ring in my palm. “Interesting,” I said, then slipped it onto my finger.
That’s very convenient.
To my relief, she hooked her arm into mine once more. Her hip and thigh brushed against my side. “On we go, you strange man.”
I wasn’t sure how she was feeling. Her glow had slowly faded, and even though her breathing was still hitched, I could tell she’d relaxed.
“There!” she exclaimed, pointing to an inn.
Through an iron gate, the Night Owl Inn had a small terrace covered with delicate vines and purple blooms. A few patrons sat at small, round tables on the patio beneath the flowers, chatting and sipping their drinks.
I was caught once more by the stark differences between the Underworld and here. The colors. The scents. The way the air smelled lighter and less like burn.
I’d already begun to adjust to the new atmosphere, but I had a feeling small details like these would continue to surprise me.
The inside was spacious and warm. Flames flickered in a fireplace, and comfortable seats and sofas circled a table before it.
Patrons ate lunch on long, polished tables while servers hustled across the floor with trays and grinning faces.
A slim, feline demi-human sat atop a heavy bookshelf, her legs dangling in front of the thick tomes. Her green eyes snagged on us for a moment and then slid away as she sipped from a teacup.
A bear demi-human man roared with laughter as the waitress covered her mouth and giggled.
Across from that table, a human woman in light, form-fitting armor glared at him. An impressive shield leaned against her seat as she twirled a lock of her shiny silver hair with a gloved finger.
From the petite woman perched on the back of an overstuffed chair, her white wings tucked tightly to her back, to the blond man scowling at his mug of beer beside her, the inside of the Night Owl was full of color and personality.
A familiar face emerged at thigh-height.
“Spawn,” I greeted the small child as she burst into a run and crashed into her sister’s legs.
“You’re alive!” Mabel squealed.
Clove rolled her eyes and hugged her sister back. “I’m not going to die at the Academy, Mabel. Like, ever. It’s a place where people like me learn. ”
I frowned. That was a strange lie to tell. People perished in the Tower.
“But you’re so clumsy. You’ll probably find a way to almost die,” Mabel reasoned.
I added, “I agree with the child. That’s why we’ve teamed up.”
Mabel clapped and jumped up and down. “Yes! Best news all day! I have to get back to the kitchens before Anna starts yelling.” She twirled and scurried back toward the kitchens, dodging people like a miniature assassin.
Clove and I settled next to the fire. Even though it was a mild day, she scooted her chair as close as possible to the flames as she could without risking setting it on fire. A server stopped by and took our food and drink orders.
For some reason, Clove asked for a paper and something to write with. The server came back with our food and the requested items.
While I ate, Clove scribbled on the paper, her forehead furrowed in concentration.
“Here!” she said. “This is a spell I think you can use. I still don’t quite believe you don’t know any, but this was the first combat magic I learned.”
I took the paper and read.
* * *
Fire Flare
Description: Blasts a basic fire ball at your enemy. Intensity of spell may be increased with the application of additional spell power and mana.
Connection needs: Passion
* * *
Connection needs? What was that?
I already experienced how light mana doesn’t respond to you like dark mana did. So, it stands to reason that there are more differences between the two magic systems than the Underworld was aware of.
None of my personal library’s texts explored the nuances of light mana. This was all new territory to me.
If I were being honest, I could admit I was a little disappointed. In my past life, I’d had access to terrifying spells. I could raise obsidian golems from the ground that towered over twenty feet tall. I could launch vortex bolts strong enough to punch through castle walls.
But Fire Flare ? It even sounded weak.
I purposefully shifted my perspective on the matter. This will be my only mortal life. Why not enjoy the journey instead of demanding to arrive at the destination straight away?
“Thank you, Clove. I will gladly accept this gift. Must I read a tome to acquire the spell? Brand myself with specific runes?”
My companion blinked at me in horror.
Slowly, she shook her head. “No, Luc, you don’t need to brand yourself… when you’re ready, just place your hand against mine. I can transfer the knowledge directly to you.”
“Most convenient!” I said aloud as I did as she asked.
Clove’s palm was almost hot to the touch. She stared into my eyes, a slight furrow in her brow. “This is going to hurt, okay? Acquiring spells is very taxing on the mind and body. Normally, you wouldn’t want to attempt such a thing before any kind of test or challenge, but you need something to protect yourself with.”
I shrugged. “Pain is but the venomous sister of Pleasure.”
“What does…” Clove shook her head. “Are you ready?”
I grinned and nodded my consent.
Clove closed her eyes and went still. I watched her face as she concentrated, fascinated by how trusting and sweet this creature was.
Then two sensations interrupted my thoughts. The first was heat, burning into my palms. It was slight at first, but then the pain increased. The second was a pressure on my mind. I closed my eyes as well and calmed my breathing.
Slowly, the discomfort amplified until sweat was beading my forehead. My mortal body did not appreciate this experience at all, but I was fascinated.
Finally, when it seemed my hands would burst into flames at any minute, I saw a flash of focused fire in my mind’s eye. My hands cooled at once.
And as I removed them from Clove’s soft touch, I knew the spell intrinsically.
“Amazing!” I all but shouted, startling a nearby table. I ignored the man who’d choked on his ale and stared at my hands in wonder. “Is this safe to cast into the fire?”
She lifted a brow and then nodded. “Probably! Once you’ve made the connection, just keep the spell simple and quiet. Keegan doesn’t like spells in the common area, so if he catches you, be prepared to apologize.”
I held out my hand and aimed at the furnace. The mana in my veins buzzed.
I gathered the power into the strength of my will, crushing it into shape and casting my desires and control over the mana.
“Fire Flare,” I commanded as quietly as possible.
The mana heard my call. It activated and rose within me.
And then it fizzled.
Stunned, I examined my hand, as if I’d find something in it that had physically blocked the spell.
Nope. Just my hand. So, what happened?
Clove pressed a hand to her mouth and giggled. “You are not always the best listener. You must form a connection with the spell first. I have only done half the work for you. The second half is the hard part.”
“I see. I can feel the spell there, waiting for me, but I just can’t get my mana to power it. It is most strange,” I admitted. I couldn’t tell her that I had, in fact, cast hundreds of thousand spells in my lifetime. It would be a challenge to explain my experience.
“How does the connection feel ?” She asked curiously.
“It requires passion, so I simply commanded passionately. What more does it require?”
Even more confused, she asked, “You really haven’t ever used your mana, have you, Luc?”
I spread my hands out and leaned back. “I thought I’d made that clear to you before. So, enlighten me, Clove. What does a passionate mana connection look like?”
She tucked her feet beneath her, leaning on the armrest. Half of her form was warm with the fire’s glow. “Before you wield a spell, you must speak to your mana. Each spell requires a sort of negotiation process with your own energy. It sounds like you just barged right in and started giving out orders. That’s not how mana works.”
Not here, at least, I mused.
“What does this negotiation process feel like?” I questioned.
Clove thought for a second. “Mana requires balance. If you want it to perform a spell for you, you must give something in return. It’s like making a small transaction when you’re mastering each spell. It takes sacrifice, and that sacrifice is not always easy to give. This is how you form that connection.”
What a strange way to operate. Mana doesn’t simply listen like it should?
I asked, “Is this ‘agreement’ something I must make every time I wish to perform a spell?”
“Nope! Just once! As soon as you create the spell connection with your mana, it will instantly rise up to your call, whenever you decide to cast it.”
At least there was that.
I couldn’t imagine the irritation I’d feel over begging my mana to work with me at every turn.
Clove scooted herself a little closer to the fire and started picking at the pastry she’d ordered from the kitchens. “Go ahead. Take your time and try to make that connection. It took me an entire week to forge my first mana agreement, but I’d been seven years old at the time. I’m sure you can figure it out much more quickly. Oh, and it’s different for everyone. So, I can’t tell you exactly how to do it. The knowledge I gave you will be enough to guide you though. Just focus and take all the time you need.”
I sighed. Until the entrance exam, that is.
With no time to waste, I stared into the fire for a time and then finally closed my eyes. The orange glow of the flickering flames soothed my mind as I began my first attempt.