Racing & Relaxing

Turns out that fireball was pretty hot. Who could've guessed.

With a loud fizzing sound, the water around the fireball had evaporated, leaving behind a pillar of steam. As the ball of molten rock fell deeper underwater, bubbles of hot air began to appear on the surface. I peek out over the edge of the bridge.

At the bottom of the ocean now sits a large, roundish mound of cracked rock, as large as several adults. I pull my head back as the harsh steam hits my face. The water must be boiling. I hope I didn't just destroy the local ecosystem.

"That was... incredible..." one of the councilmen blurt out. "How, in the name of the gods, did you do that??"

Oh, they're talking directly to me now. How nice of them.

"Which part?"

"Which-?!"

These guys surprise easily, huh.

After making sure that none of the councilmembers would pass out, we continued our tests.

We decided to skip Solaeyvun, the lightning spell, and Taeilynert, the tidal spell, to avoid endangering the local fauna more. It was rather unfortunate, as I kind of wanted to know what would happen if I struck the ocean with a strong lightning spell, but I guess I'll live without it.

Instead, we go directly to "Equeralliex."

Vol casts it first, without the manacaster, and a familiar see-through barrier appears in the air, much like a hologram.

"Elizabeth, if you would?" he requests.

Elizabeth draws her new sword - a plain metal one, which doesn't really suit her - and strikes the barrier. It holds against the slices, but after a few direct thrusts, it shatters and breaks.

Vol's attempt at a barrier with the assistance of the manacaster is significantly better. The barrier is less see-through, and holds up against thrice as many direct thrusts from Elizabeth.

The council have been looking on in interest, but when he hands it to me, they seem to perk up and pay close attention.

"Equeralliex!"

Now that's what I call a barrier. It's barely transparent, a bit like stained glass, and has a visible thickness when viewed from the side.

Elizabeth breathes heavily. She hasn't had much luck in penetrating my barrier, despite it having been several minutes, so we decide to stop and move on.

The last spell is "Ailomolliex!"

It's not a flashy spell, like the other ones. Instead, it makes you faster and more agile.

We decide that the best way to test it is a 100-meter dash between Vol, Elizabeth, and myself. People from the town have been slowly gathering to look at us, like we're putting on a performance. One of them volunteered to do the countdown.

As soon as I cast the spell, my entire body feels much lighter. We take our positions. I feel a bit like an Olympic runner. I assume this is how they feel, anyway.

"Ready. Set. Go!"

Three of us set off and-

"Wh- uhm- goal!"

In just a few seconds, I arrive at the designated finish line. Eat your heart out, Usain Bolt.

As the crowds disperse, and the council, apparently very satisfied, thanks us for the presentation, Vol turns to me.

"Say... how do we get rid of your barrier spell?"

"Uh..."

So we just left it there and went back up into the town.

We've been working on this for so long, it's been ages since we've properly rested. We decide to spend the day on something relaxing and calming, to help balance out all the excitement of the past two years.

"'Ay mister Vol, can I interest ya in some fresh squid?"

"How about some fish filets, sire?"

"Sir Vol, what a pleasure to see you here again. It's been ever too long."

I never much liked the smell of fish, but in a market like this, mixed with the salty smell of the ocean, I find it almost pleasant. I think Tayde might be a contender for my list of top 5 places in all the lives I've lived. Still, nothing can beat the lake Sofia and I lived by.

Despite how nice and calming it is here, and although I have two of my closest friends by my side, I can't help but linger on those memories.

Looking out over the glinting ocean brings back memories of that moonlit summer night when I proposed to Sofia.

How lovely she was.

"- what do you think, Sebastian?"

Elizabeth's voice snaps me back to reality.

"Hm?"

Oh, were they talking to me?

"What do I think about what?"

"The manacaster. Results were better than expected, right?"

Ah.

"Right. Yes, they were exceptional."

"It's a shame we couldn't try the lightning or tidal spell, though," Vol says, disappointedly.

"Yes, I would have liked to see those, too."

Vol is silent a moment and then speaks into the air.

"You know, I think there's a guild here in Tayde."

"Hm," I reply, vaguely.

"I hear that they have some training grounds a bit outside of town. They'd normally be in use, but anybody who'd normally be using them is busy aiding Rosewood right now."

"Is that so."

"Apparently, the grounds get damaged quite often. You know, by magic and such. Pretty badly, too."

"Huh."

"There's also a small lake nearby."

...

"You don't say."

---

I can only imagine what rumors might have spread about that night's spectacle.

Who knew lightning could strike the same place 10 times.