What is a Tethessia?

When I awoke, I was faced with High Lord Volanti. He was quieter and much less angry than I expected. Honestly, he seemed more pensive than anything and was easily appeased. All I had to do was agree not to advance ranks in public and bring Lord Glade along for training in the future.

Once I had agreed to his terms, the High Lord left.

Eagerly, I checked my STATS.

The display showed the following:

Kylara Adamare

TETHESSIA (Lesser): Level 1

STATS:

Agility: 50

Charisma: 40

Intelligence: 40

Magic: 60

Strength: 50

Wisdom: 40

Health: 50

Stat points to spend: 0.

I gaped. My stats were now so high! I might be a level 1 again but I was ridiculously overpowered. I did a small happy dance.

Then I remembered to check my SKILLS. They were as follows:

Kylara Adamare

TETHESSIA (Lesser): Level 1

AIDED SKILLS:

Slash lvl 12

Stab lvl 4

Light Shield lvl 6

Shadowbolt lvl 10

Additional Skill lines unlock-able with study.

…

My jaw went slack as I stared wide eyed at the small list. I'd been had! This wasn't a huge boon at all. This advancement was a monstrous trick!

Hurriedly, I lowered my head and changed screens.

Kylara Adamare

UNAIDED SKILLS:

(In Progress) Lightning Strike: 55/250 hrs. Continue Learning? Y or No

(Unlearned) Crush

(Unlearned Earth Spike

(Unlearned) Mending

(Unlearned) Tangling Vines

(Unlearned) Refresh

(Unlearned) Freeze

(Unlearned) Air Scythe

(Unlearned) Water Barrier

Additional Skill lines unlock-able with study.

I stared. Almost all my skills were now unaided only. What the heck was that? My happy smile died. How would I kill monsters and level up?

I sighed and thought of the question that had been nagging at me for since I'd awoken. Just what in the world was a Tethessia?

My eyes fell on a stack of books placed neatly on my desk. They were unfamiliar to me. Wandering over, I gently picked up the top one.

'A Guide to the Fae Creatures on Aleus,' the faded cover read.

Frowning, I turned the book over in my hands. Judging by the worn, faded edges and the yellowing of the pages, the book was quite old.

I opened it carefully and found that the book was exactly as the title advertised, a guide to Fae creatures. The table of contents listed several I knew of and many more that I didn't.

I gently ran my finger down the list, reading the unfamiliar names until I came across one that made me stop. 'Tethessia,' it read.

Hastily, I flipped to the page. I wasn't even thinking of the book's age or frailty. The only thought in my head was of reading that entry. Thank gods for the Archivist's enchantments on the book or else I surely would have destroyed the ancient text in my haste.

The entry read, 'Tethessia or Tethessiae (plural) are colloquially referred to as the Children of the Earth, or Earthchildren. They are beautiful creatures which are at one with the world around them. They are typically found in untamed wilds, although some Tethessiae choose to pass their lives among people in places of power and beauty.'

'Like all underfae, tethessia are exceptionally powerful. The Children of the Earth, like their name implies are enormously gifted in all types of Earth Magic. This includes renewal/soil, rock, gravity, healing, and plant lines of magic.'

'Secondary and tertiary magics are common for Tethessiae and most are proficient in Water and Air Magic as well. Some rare Tethessia are even gifted in other areas of magic, including Fire Magic.'

'While the origins of the Tethessiae are unknown, there is much speculation surrounding both the origin of their race and the origin of the individual…'

The book went on to describe the different origin myths surrounding the Tethessia. The entry didn't go on for much longer and when it ended I went back through it again.

I frowned and checked my stats.

Kylara Adamare

TETHESSIA (LESSER): Level 1

…

It said it right there where it used to say NOVICE. I needed to speak to someone knowledgeable right away. Was it possible for me to change my race through rank advancement and leveling? I needed to speak to the Archivist.

Suddenly, my eyes flew open. The time was 10:07 am on Wednesday. I had tea with the Archivist on Wednesdays at 10 am, if there were no conflicting Mating Event. I was late! Shoot!

Moving rapidly, I through on clean clothes and raced from my rooms. I was still buttoning my coat as I raced through the halls.

***

I managed to make it to the rare books room 10 minutes later. The Archivist was waiting patiently for me when I arrived. An aroma of cardamom and cinnamon filled my nose as I breathed in the musty air.

Prince Pharon was bent over a book at the other table. He looked up at me in confusion as I walked past him. His expression turned pained, briefly, as he glanced at the Archivists and his waiting tea.

I sat down with the Archivist and Prince Pharon returned to his books.

Pouring tea for the Archivist and myself, I glanced at Prince Pharon. His shoulders were hunched, and he looked uncomfortable. I sent a question gaze at the Archivist which he returned with impassivity.

Shrugging slightly, I picked up a third cup and poured it. I then carried it over to Prince Pharon. As I set the cup down beside him, he looked up with a mixed expression.

"It seemed like you wanted some." I said quietly before rejoining the Archivist.

As I sat back down the Archivist ran a critical eye over me, "It appears that you have gotten more beautiful, Miss Adamare." he said.

I blinked, "Sir?"

"Your features are more defined. Your waist has gotten smaller. Your complexion is richer and more brilliant." the Archivist's matter of fact tone made me pause.

Ordinarily, I would just think that this was someone flattering me, but he stated these things as if they were simple facts. It was true that I hadn't had a chance to look at myself since waking up this morning. Was it possible that I had physically changed because of my rank advancement? What did it mean that instead of a novice, I was now listed as a Tethessia Lesser?

"Sir, I think- I think my race may have changed yesterday when I advanced ranks." I stuttered. The Archivist nodded in confirmation of my statement. I blinked at him again, "how is such a thing possible?"

"I am not certain of the how. I just know that changing you into a more powerful being is part of the System's goals." the Archivist said.

I frowned and stared at my hands for several long moments. The Archivist watched me in silence. I could feel his gaze upon me. Suddenly, a low rumble rent the air.

My face turned crimson as my hands darted to cover my stomach. The Archivist smiled in amusement.

"I'm sorry. I came straight here after waking." I murmured.

The Archivist let out a sigh and stood, "Ordinarily, I do not allow eating in my library, but since you have not eaten yet, I will ask for some tea sandwiches. I do not think much harm can come from them."

I raised my hand to tell him that I could eat later, but he had already disappeared down the stacks towards the door. With a sigh, I lowered my hand. A shadow of a smile crept onto my face. I really appreciated how well the Archivist treated me. I sipped my tea happily.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Prince Pharon watching me. I turned to look at him with a raised brow. Surprisingly, he colored and hastily looked away.

I shrugged again and turned my attention to my SKILL display, specifically my unaided lightning strike.

'Resume Training? Y or N.'

'Yes,' I thought. The image flashed before my eyes of my hand covered in little sparks.

***

I was running a spark over the backs of my fingers when the Archivist returned with a plate of tea sandwiches. He placed them down on the table and sat. His eyes quickly caught the spark that disappeared from the top of my hand.

"I was just practicing." I said hastily. The Archivist nodded and his long nimble fingers gently snagged one of the sandwiches.

I tentatively reached out and took two for myself. The scent of mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil thickened the air.

I had just finished my first small sandwich and was about to set into my second when a soft rumble split the air again. I blinked down at my stomach in dismay and confusion as the Archivist lifted an eyebrow at me. I flushed and was about to make an excuse, but the rumble came again, a little louder this time. It obviously wasn't from me.

I glanced at Prince Pharon again. his shoulders had now climbed all the way up to his ears and the back of his neck was as red as a tomato.

I sighed, "Prince Pharon, would you care to join us?" I asked.

I quickly looked at the Archivist. His face was carefully blank.

Slowly Prince Pharon turned to look at us. His face was hopeful.

"May I, Sir?" he asked. The Archivist nodded.

Prince Pharon quickly jumped up. Grabbing his teacup, he hurried over to the remaining free chair at our table. I refilled his empty cup as he started stuffing his cheeks with the sandwiches.

Smiling in amusement, I carefully snagged two more sandwiches for myself. Between bites, I conversed with the Archivist.

After an hour, I stood to go get ready for the meeting event. The Archivist asked me to stop by the following day. He promised to aid me in my training if I could make it. I agreed with eagerness. Then I made my excuses and left.