About a week had passed since Tondra first entered magic release. Her growth was unfathomable as she rapidly evolved to master the state without any difficulties. For the past week, I have had her maintain the state for hours on end. Since she only achieved it recently, everything she does takes conscious effort. But, once she internalizes the process, it will become involuntary— just like breathing. First, I have to get her there and figure out what stimulus draws out her best. And—she is jumping again? "Tondra! Cut it out…you will hurt yourself," he shouted.
At the time, Tondra was jumping from branch to branch, ground to tree. Getting faster with each move she made. She jumped to the tip of the tallest tree (roughly 50m) and flipped through before landing next to him. No sooner had she landed than she grabbed her ribs. A sharp pain tickling her sides. It was as though all the wind was driven out her lungs.
"Your landing was bad. I told you to stop since you are getting too excited. When in magic release, your emotions shouldn't crowd your thoughts."
"I am sorry, Kano—it's just that…using my magic makes me feel incredibly good. I want to savor this feeling since I feel as though it is a dream…." She got back to her feet.
"But it's not. Whether you choose to savor the feeling or not, when you open your eyes tomorrow, your power will still be there and I along with it." What the hell am I even saying?….it is starting to sound like the nonsensical gabber Calida used to say. He felt as though needles were piercing his head. There were others there too? Tondra glanced toward Kano watching his gaze grow vacant. He was dwindling, drifting further and further as though discarding the husk he called his body.
"Kano." Her call brought him back to the present. "Are you okay? You looked like you were in pain?" He touched his face feeling the tears that rolled down. "Was I crying?"
"Kano, I did not want to ask before — but do you really still have a light? Or have you ever had a light?" She asked before sitting down.
"Why this again? I told you I am a water mage." He snapped.
"But you are not. My father has a shadow by his side all the time so I know. He also makes that expression all the time." He says it's like dying….becoming dead to himself.
"Just drop it…let us focus on something else."
"Kano…" she stuttered, "I know I am overstepping but I want to help you. You are helping me—without expecting any payment so it's only fair I do the same. I can become your light—"
"NO! You are thinking too deeply on this. I am okay. Now, we will have combat drills starting tomorrow. Get enough rest." No sooner had she taken a deep breath than he asked, "Tondra, have you discovered what your style of lightning arts is."
"No…I have been thinking hard on it." So even he doesn't want my help. "I can't feel out what it is?" He patted her head before saying, "you don't have to. Use projectile magic and it should be known. Do you happen to know what styles of lightning arts there are. That should help speed run it."
She relaxed her mind, closing her eyes as flashes of lightning began forming around her. Kano placed his hand on her back, his eyes turning to aquamarine. "Don't worry…this is just in case your magic rampages."
"Okay…" she heard sparks, growing louder and louder still. I feel them…charges. They are revolving all around me. I see static ones too. Oscillatory Charges and Parallel ones too. I can influence them both. All these sequences are mine?
"Tondra….Tondra…..Tondra!" she opened her eyes. A white sphere had formed in front of her hand. She panicked, letting her charge escape. It scattered, forming flashes of lightning.
"That was really good Tondra."
She was grinning, "I have all the styles— I could feel it."
Looks like she is finally getting it…..magic is enthralling. It's akin to breathing. You long for it. You seem more excited….like a little kid given her first toy.
~
"Tondra—calm down, you are too eager. You are getting drunk on the freedom your power is granting you. Relax. You are too tense." The wooden stick; branches; crossed before she was pushed back. Kano held it firmly, pointing toward her. "Calm down…your enhancements and timing aren't lining up. It's either you are too late or too early."
"I am sorry but this is my first time trying out swordsmanship. You told me I am free to do what I want but I was only ever taught to use throwing knives." She panted, trembling before she drew her stick back. She lunged. A vertical swing descending on him. He sidestepped. Striking her shoulder blade as she had left herself wide open.
She twisted the stick, aiming to strike his lower jaw. He leapt back.
"Your enhancements were too strong. You moved past your intended distance. Don't tense up and try again."
"Okay," she lunged, swinging wildly. He dodged, parried, clanking each time their sticks clashed. What is this feeling? I feel like I can see more than one Kano…my mind has never responded like this before. A feint?
A feint? She sensed. A powerful horizontal swing. She leapt. Her eyes widened before she went for a horizontal swing of her own. He shifted his swing, cutting her leg. She had avoided it. I was right, a shift from my ribs to legs. She placed the stick by his neck.
"That was much better," he rasped—she grabbed her face. Her eyes burning. They hurt…. "They are hurting…my eyes hurt." She begun rubbing her eyes and he grabbed her hand. "Stop it. Calm down what did you do?"
"They hurt…I am burning." Water materialized around them soaking her to her bone. "Calmly explain what happened?"
"It hurts," she sobbed.
"I know it does. But speak calmly."
"I saw what you planned on doing. I could feel your feint. Better still, I saw it coming."
Kano stood in awe, She saw the future? What level of special even is she? Is time flowing differently for her? "Release the magic release." She relaxed her body. Calming the magic that ran rampant in her body.
"It doesn't hurt anymore—"
"Next time, limit the magic flowing to your eyes. It won't hurt if it's not excessive." Her eyes may have been put in over drive. That would be dangerous for her eyes. He took a deep breath, "That is it for today. We will continue tomorrow."