Ryan's teaching

Inside the Embassy

The corners of Ryan's mouth lifted slightly as he shook his head with a quiet smile. He set down the scroll in his hand and gazed out of the window in the direction of Zaun.

"Silco, the stage is set. I'm looking forward to your performance."

Tonight was no ordinary night.

Far away in Demacia, the Lesser garrison marched toward Piltover.

The Immortal Bastion stirred with restless energy, and the people of Piltover were once again roused from their slumber by an explosion—the second one in two months.

Meanwhile, Zaun buzzed with activity, even in the dead of night.

Knock, knock.

At the sound of a knock on the door, Ryan turned his attention toward it, raising his palm slightly. With a subtle motion, streams of water flowed toward the handle, twisting it and pulling the door open with a faint creak.

Standing in the doorway were Seraphine and Katarina.

Katarina dropped to one knee, her voice steady and formal.

"Your Excellency, the mission is complete."

"You've done well tonight," Ryan said with an approving nod, "but I think you should take a look at the fourth book from the left on the third shelf of the bookcase. You'll find the true art of the shadow path there."

Katarina gave a brief nod before walking over to the bookshelf. Her sharp eyes scanned the row of books on the third shelf until they landed on one titled Shadow Stream.

She hesitated, her crimson hair catching the dim light as her expression grew contemplative.

"If you're reluctant to take that path," Ryan's voice carried across the room, calm and knowing, "you might consider the book to its left."

Katarina, realizing he had seen through her hesitation, straightened.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Without further delay, she selected the book titled Assassin's Creed, bowed slightly to Ryan, and retreated to a shadowed corner of the room.

There, away from the flickering candlelight, she sought to fade into the background.

With Katarina settled, Ryan's attention shifted to Seraphine, who stood awkwardly, clutching a book to her chest.

"How are you finding that book?" he asked, his tone lighter now.

"Mr. Ryan…" Seraphine began hesitantly, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"I hear the wailing of the souls inside it all the time. It feels like… a cage, trapping those souls within."

Ryan's smile widened ever so slightly.

"A very perceptive observation."

With a flick of his wrist, the Soul Stealing Scroll floated into the air, its pages flipping on their own. Some glowed faintly with blue light, while others remained eerily still.

"This is merely a counterfeit I created to mimic a great magical artifact," he explained.

"Compared to the genuine item, you should be able to sense its flaws."

Seraphine bit her lip and nodded. "Whenever I hold it, every song I sing seems to release the imprisoned souls. But as they fade, their cries grow even more anguished."

Encouraged by Ryan's steady gaze, she took a deep breath and gathered her resolve.

"I understand what you're trying to teach me, teacher. My gift may give me a strong start, but true mastery will come from embracing the complexity of their songs. My abilities will grow faster, but the pain will challenge me. I promise not to lose myself in it!"

"Good," Ryan said, his voice filled with approval.

"Your determination is admirable. Only by staring at the abyss can you hope to understand it. But remember, you have the choice—to grow steadily or place your faith in your will."

"Mr. Ryan, I believe in myself," Seraphine said with unwavering confidence.

"One day, I'll make the entire world listen to my song!"

Ryan's faint smile returned as he watched her clutch the artifact tightly, her face full of resolve.

"Well said. And don't worry, I'll be here to guide you. I don't intend to let my first student succumb to darkness."

He gestured toward a nearby seat. "It's still early. Let's begin your first lesson."

Ryan gestured toward the guest chair in his study.

Watching Seraphine take her seat with a look of curiosity and attentiveness, he posed his first question:

"You know I'm a mage, so tell me—what do you think magic is?"

"Magic..."

Seraphine murmured, pressing her fingers to her lips in thought. After a pause, she answered tentatively:

"Everything in Runeterra is composed of four elements: earth, water, fire, and wind. The ability to control these elements is called magic."

Her upbringing had been humble; she had never attended any formal academy or institution for study.

Yet, her innate gift allowed her to hear echoes of knowledge from the souls of others. Whenever she encountered something new, she instinctively stored it in her mind, believing it might serve her one day.

"An insightful answer," Ryan said approvingly.

"These four are indeed the foundation of magic."

He waved his hand, and before Seraphine's wide eyes, small clods of earth, droplets of water, flickering flames, and swirling gusts of wind appeared simultaneously in his palm.

"Amazing!" Seraphine gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.

"But… I've heard that most mages can only use one type of magic."

Ryan chuckled softly. "If that were the case, they shouldn't be called mages—just water-wielders or fire-wielders. A true mage seeks mastery over all."

To Ryan, those unable to transcend a single element were no more than performers dabbling in parlor tricks. True magic required more than surface-level knowledge.

"In addition to the four elemental magics," he continued, "there are rarer types—light, darkness, ice, even time and space."

Seraphine tilted her head curiously, raising a slender hand.

"Teacher, what about the soul?"

"Soul magic is a derivative of darkness," Ryan explained.

"However, over the past thousand years, countless mages, undead, and other creatures have delved into its secrets. What you study now is vastly different from what it once was."

"Oh!" Seraphine grinned mischievously.

"It sounds like my focus is still new. Is it too late for me to change my career now?"

Ryan chuckled at her playful tone.

"There's no need at all. I've specialized in water magic for years, and I'm honored to have a student with your talent for soul magic. You can achieve incredible things with far less effort than most."

But Seraphine shook her head rapidly, her pink hair swaying with the motion.

"Mr. Ryan, I was only joking! I still want to be a Soul singer, but I wouldn't mind spending some time minoring in your water magic."

"That's admirable," Ryan said with a nod.

"But let me clarify: soul magic will remain your primary focus. Water runes can only be a minor aspect of your studies."

"Runes? Magic?" Seraphine blinked in confusion.

"Is there a difference between the two?"

"There is," Ryan explained.

"Magic is innate—like your talent for soul manipulation. Runes, however, are acquired knowledge, an extension of what mages can achieve beyond their natural gifts. For example, my mastery of water is innate, but my control over earth, fire, and air comes from runes."

He gestured to the four elemental forces floating in the air, letting them linger briefly as he spoke.

"Runes help unlock new paths for mages. They are a way to bridge the gap between natural talent and mastery over all."

"Then... how do I learn magic?" Seraphine asked, her curiosity evident.

"There are three main ways," Ryan replied.

"First, by honing your innate talent. Second, by studying relevant runes. And third, by repeatedly using magical artifacts that resonate with your abilities."

Seraphine nodded slowly, processing his words. Raising the Scroll in her hands, she said,

"I already have a magical artifact. My talent will grow stronger if I continue to sing the songs of the souls. But as for the runes..."

Her voice trailed off, and she gazed at Ryan with wide, expectant eyes, brimming with hope.