S he handed me the piece of paper and then leaned over to see what I’d been looking at in the book. Her eyes widened.
“Oh, Luc… that’s an advanced spell. You’re not thinking of using it, are you?”
“Of course I am. Perfect for long-range incapacitation.” The instructions for the spell were shown below. On the bottom of Clove’s paper, I scribbled them down.
“You are crazy,” she sighed.
“No,” I countered. “I am ambitious.”
“Are you planning on going monster hunting at sea?”
I held up my hand, showing five fingers. “With minimal effort, I can see five different uses for this spell.”
“Five? Really?”
“Yes. And I noticed that you don’t often use these spells you’ve written down. Why not?”
She gave me a wobbly smile, full of self-judgement.
“They take up too much of my mana. I’m pretty much done for if I even cast three of those. It’s not worth it. Well, except for Light Dart . I just keep forgetting about that one.”
* * *
Time Stop
Description: Can pause an offensive attack in its path for two seconds. The more powerful your opponent’s spell, the harder it will be to stop their spell.
Connection needs: Memory
* * *
Light Dart
Description: Sends three sharp, tiny darts of pure light energy into an opponent. Will temporarily stun them and weaken their senses, particularly eyesight. The stronger the opponent, the less effective it is. Especially effective against demonic or Shadow based creatures.
Connection needs: Vision
* * *
Body Block
Description: Full-body mana shield capable of blocking all moderate physical and magical attacks. Spell takes a constant stream of mana to sustain. Duration lasts until spell is released or mana pool has been depleted.
Connection needs: Limitations
* * *
“These are very useful,” I agreed. “I think I’ll assimilate the last two if time permits.
I know that will be a stretch given the Mage Fatigue, but I’m going to try. And Time Stop, well, I’ll see if I can’t figure that out when I’ve fully recovered again.”
Clove agreed with my plan, but I stopped her before we pressed our hands together.
“Hold on. I have a question for you. If Barrow helped remove your mana pool block, how do you expect to expand your containment levels?”
I already knew the answer for dark mana. But I wanted to see if it was the same in Ria. Or, if there was some other strategy that light mana used.
Clove fidgeted and sat in her chair again.
“The fastest way? Besides just letting time build me up naturally and slowly? That would be pushing myself to my mana limit and to the edge of absolute emptiness.”
“Ah. That strategy.” I gave her a sympathetic sigh.
So, that’s another thing that the Underworld and Ria have in common.
It was a sound practice. But it made you feel like absolute shit when you did it. There’s nothing more uncomfortable and exhausting than expelling your mana to the dregs. It could take several days to recover, in some cases.
“Yeah,” she affirmed, trying to keep an optimistic lilt to her voice. “It’ll be okay. After tomorrow, I’m going to do my first one. I’ve tried it before, but obviously, it didn’t help. I stopped after my sixth attempt or so.”
Interesting. She experienced that level of fatigue six times without any result. She’s stronger than I’ve been giving her credit for.
“I commend you,” I said. “That must have been difficult to do.”
“I did a lot of vomiting,” she agreed with a laugh. “But I’m sure this time will be fine! Better, since hopefully it’ll work.”
Her false smile faded as she looked down.
“Clove,” I said.
“Huh?”
“Look at me.”
Reluctantly, she lifted her gaze. It was filled with fear.
“We will succeed, you and I. And you will find the strength to ascend. You have nothing to be afraid of.”
Sometimes, a person simply needs those words spoken to them. Words have a different, intangible kind of magic. And it had nothing to do with mana.
Her worry softened, and her eyes began to shine with the hint of tears. All she could manage was a choked, “Okay.”
Jam dropped down from her bookshelf, books, notes, and writing utensils balanced perfectly in a stack.
“Besides! You have me as a friend. And I can’t wait to practice with you two. Yes, I’ve already decided we’re sparring together. If you don’t’ like it, then too bad! Learn your damn spells already, Lucky. My daggers are waiting…”
Her voice trailed off as she traipsed away to order food.
Clove giggled. “I do like her. Honestly.”
I smirked. “Same.”
Bree ended up stealing Clove and asking for help in the kitchens, and the demi decided to recruit Jam for help as well.
Mabel could only do simple things, like washing small dishes and peeling vegetables, so Clove had to put in her work as well.
I began learning the new spells. I ordered them in priority.
Clove gave me Body Block first.
The pain reminded me of the other defensive spell I’d learned, but it caused full body aches as well. I endured the pain, and pulled back, relieved to have finished with half of the process.
Body Block was simpler than Shield Strike , but I was excited to have the freedom to fight with less concern for my well being.
I didn’t want attacks going around my shield like what happened with Rhys. And I would be able to use the shield spell on Clove while still being protected.
Overall, it granted a wide variety of versatility.
The connection requirement was limitations.
What could that mean? A thousand things, of course. But how does it relate to me?
I shut my eyes and waded into the expanse of my mana. It greeted me with what I felt was affection.
Like an old friend.
I need this spell , I told it. Yes, I understand I need to connect with you about limits.
My light mana swirled around me, encouraging me to go on.
I’m only one man. Even as the Dark Prince, I am only mortal. I can’t protect myself on all sides. And the shield spell can only do so much.
We all have limits. My Father does. Mana does.
Even though I felt the truth of my thoughts, I knew it wasn’t enough for my light mana.
I opened my eyes and thought for a time. I needed to understand what my mana required, but so far, nothing was clicking.
As patrons entered and left The Night Owl and others sat over their meals with friends, I sunk myself back into my mana.
I am full of limits —
Someone dropped their utensils on the floor, and a loud cackle rang in my ears.
I flinched but pulled myself back to focus.
Limits are in all of us. We cannot do everything.
The door must have swung open, bringing in a new roar of people.
They were talking and laughing, and one was sharing a story about how his neighbor killed all of their potted plants.
I was going to have to take this outside, wasn’t I? This would be more effective in the quiet. Maybe I could return to my room.
There was so much life in this inn. It was too distracting, and I knew there was no use staying here if my focus continued to be drawn and snapped away.
I nudged Clove and asked her if she could give me Light Dart now so that I could retreat to form connections with the spells in private.
She shrugged. “It isn’t the way most do things, but that sounds about right. Sure thing.”
We joined hands, and she transferred Light Dart to me. I endured more pain, and a multitude of confusing sensations, mostly involved in blinding flashes perceived in my mind’s eye.
When I was done, I thanked the woman.
Gathering my book and notes, I planned on telling Clove my destination when a new idea crept inside of me.