Tower Lessons Continue

In addition to the three lessons at the Academy, Delphia attended lessons at the Magic Tower on her off days, intent on improving her own abilities—and staying out of the house. The Tower, far from the structured formalities of the Academy, buzzed with an entirely different energy.

Pulling up to the Tower in the bleak light of a February morning, Delphia made her way inside and then to the Tower's practice hall, where the elite Mages demonstrated advanced techniques in smaller groups for others to question and learn from.

Surprisingly, Zypher Thorne, with a confident stance and relaxed air about him, stood at the center of a circle of Mages, demonstrating a complex spell for them to learn. His control was flawless, his power palpable in the air around him, as he lectured to those eager students gathered.

This was the first time she had come across Zypher in one of these classes, not seeing him in the last week once. She wondered if it had something to do with her own presence at the Tower, since she assumed that as the 'Heir' he had more responsibilities to helm than the others.

Delphia herself was only a recent Third Circle Mage, but that didn't stop her. Coming from a world that had no mana, to a place where it's woven into the fabric of reality, she was excited to apply everything she'd studied so far—knowing these solid basics could become a big support in this life.

Her lesson was being led by a senior Mage, a calm and knowledgeable woman called Phoebe, who had been guiding her through practical exercises thus far.

Unlike the younger, more competitive mages Delphia had encountered, Mage Phoebe exuded patience and wisdom, making her an ideal teacher for someone who was mastering her foundational skills yet hoping to tackle more complex spells. Delphia joined the circle of fellow students, most of whom were already well into their mana studies. While they understood the deeper intricacies, she refused to let that intimidate her, certain her methodical mind would compensate.

Today's lesson focused on elemental manipulation, linked to each individual's innate mana. As the session began, Delphia asked questions—about air mana's interaction with weather patterns, about how to refine control in more advanced applications. Mage Phoebe answered patiently, explaining the finer points of how air mana worked in tandem with nature. Delphia absorbed the information, her mind eager to grasp every nuance.

"Now," Mage Phoebe spoke, her tone gentle but firm, "the key to controlling elemental mana is understanding its fluid nature. Focusing on air mana, it requires both finesse and strength. Too much force, and you'll lose focus; Too little, and more advanced forms won't even manifest. Observe closely."

She raised her hand, a delicate motion that seemed almost effortless. The air in the room shifted, swirling gently around her fingers before expanding outward in a graceful arc. She controlled the flow with such precision that not a single strand of her hair was disturbed by the breeze she summoned.

The group watched in quiet admiration.

Delphia studied her intently. She had attempted simpler feats of air mana before, confident in her fundamentals; Yet the idea of channeling these higher-level spells made her both excited and wary.

Mage Phoebe gestured to the group, inviting them to try. "Remember, feel the element around you. Don't force it. Instead, guide it with your intent."

Delphia moved so there was space between her and the others, lifting her hand and following Mage Phoebe's instructions. She sensed the air—she had felt it before, the natural ebb and flow—but directing it into trickier forms was another matter.

She closed her eyes briefly, focusing on the subtle energy that brushed against her skin. Then, she slowly extended her hand, urging the mana forward.

At first, the manipulation wasn't precisely what she wanted. The others in her group were producing small embers, liquids, and earth forms, some with masterful ease. Delphia reminded herself not to worry about them, that she possessed a strong foundation. She just needed to push her capabilities further than before.

She tried again, this time with more nuance, and finally felt the shift.

The air responded to her command, though it faltered when she tried layering an advanced shaping technique. A gust surged from her hand but ended up scattering leaves of a potted plant across the floor.

Delphia flushed, far less from utter clumsiness than from failing to refine the next stage of complexity. A few of the other students glanced her way, but quickly returned to their work, expressions largely neutral. As the lesson continued, Delphia sensed Zypher's gaze flick toward her periodically. His expression remained unreadable, but there was something in the way he watched—something calculated.

"Steady, Lady Delphia," Mage Phoebe reminded her gently, drawing her focus back. "It's about balancing power and control. You already manage the basics well. Now apply that same care to these advanced shapes." Delphia nodded, determined to succeed.

She raised her hand once more, channeling the mana with a steadier mental image. She could feel the air more fully, its subtle nature becoming an extension of her thoughts. With a calm breath, she attempted the layering again—this time the breeze formed in front of her, less forceful but sharper in outline. It swirled in front of her, and while it wasn't nearly as polished as Mage Phoebe's demonstration, it was tangible progress.

"Much improved," Mage Phoebe encouraged, smiling. "You're feeling out the complexities, which is the key step to bridging basic mastery and advanced application."

Delphia gave a small nod, pleased but not stopping there. She needed to refine these higher techniques. She sensed real promise in her skill. By the lesson's end, her fingers tingled with residual mana. Though her base ability felt solid, Delphia realized how far she still had to go with more complicated spells. Yet the potential was undeniable.

When the session concluded and various students asked Mage Phoebe questions, Zypher approached her. "You've really improved," he remarked casually, though his raised eyebrow suggested real surprise.

She had been jotting down her own insights from the demonstrations when he came over, effectively taking her aback that he'd speak to her first. Delphia looked up, her expression neutral. "Of course I have; I've been studying." Her voice carried the matter-of-fact air she'd cultivated.

Zypher raised an eyebrow, "You have? But, I thought you hated mana study and application. That's what you always said." Based on her understanding from the journal entries, Delphia and Zypher barely maintained speaking terms, since she only resented him for reasons tied to Alaric.

He shouldn't know that much about her, should he?

"Well, you know, 'new perspectives,'" she deflected, recalling the same line from the Faremont Celebration. Zypher hesitated, his maroon eyes assessing her closely. She couldn't help the warmth that spread across her cheeks at the proximity.

"Right… 'new perspectives'…" His words seemed laced with subtle undertones, as though implying something more. Before she could respond, he turned and walked away to address the other Mages, leaving her with more questions than answers.

***

Back at the Magic Tower the next week, Delphia found herself in a lesson led by Zypher, much to her growing discomfort. Instead of Mage Phoebe who has been teaching her these last few weeks, she's found herself being taught by Zypher this day in particular.

He stood at the heart of the minor practice hall, every spell he demonstrated effortless in its precision.

The soft hum of mana in the air sharpened as a swirling gust of wind formed in his open palm, then dissipated into shimmering motes. Each flick of his wrist commanded the attention of every Mage gathered, a silent testament to his mastery of Elemental and Arcane mana.

Yet for all the brilliance of his demonstrations, Delphia sensed something disconcerting.

Each time Zypher's eyes swept the assembled mages, they paused on her just a breath longer than necessary. It wasn't obvious enough to draw anyone else's notice, but she felt his gaze as though it probed beneath her outer composure. The faintest chill ghosted over her skin each time his focus returned, as if he were dissecting her thoughts behind an otherwise unassuming lesson.

"Wind synergy, when harnessed with the correct amplitude, allows for advanced weather manipulation," Zypher began, raising a hand to beckon the group forward. "Who can tell me the most efficient method of regulating amplitude during a sudden atmospheric shift?"

He glanced around, letting the question hang in the air. When no one spoke at first, Delphia cleared her throat and answered in a measured tone, "By monitoring the caster's mana flow and adjusting the coefficient of each runic link to match the localized pressure, so it doesn't overwhelm the existing weather system."

Zypher gave a faint nod of approval, the trace of a smirk curving his lips. "Precisely. And Lady Vosswell, how might one handle a rapid drop in temperature while maintaining a stable barrier?"

Delphia's heartbeat quickened. Another question sent her way, when there were half a dozen others more visibly eager. "You'd have to account for the heat differential by layering a secondary buffer rune," she replied, quietly firm. "That buffer intercepts the mana surge and prevents the barrier from fracturing."

"Impressive," Zypher remarked casually, letting his words resonate through the silent ring of onlookers. "You've clearly done some deeper reading." His eyes flicked over her with lingering intent, as if searching for something that might confirm or contradict her knowledge.

She swallowed, discomfort tugging at her.

This was the second time he had directed an advanced query at her specifically. He claimed to be testing the group, but she knew better—he was testing her. Each question arrived with just enough nuance to catch the inexperienced off guard, yet she had done her homework, so she answered calmly.

Even so, her mind buzzed with tension under his watchful gaze.

He continued lecturing about how to transition runic constructs mid-spell, demonstrating with a flourish that left the others murmuring in awe. But Delphia could feel him still evaluating her from across the circle.

"Now," Zypher said, turning to the class at large, though his eyes subtly drifted in Delphia's direction again, "who can pinpoint the exact moment you must switch from an active to a passive channel in a large-scale synergy spell?"

Several of the mages exchanged uncertain looks.

Delphia exhaled slowly. She would have loved to hang back, let someone else step forward, but everyone's silence made it inevitable. "That moment occurs the instant your active runic output crosses the preset threshold of mana utilization," she offered, her words precise. "Continuing to push beyond it risks feedback that disrupts the entire synergy chain."

Zypher tilted his head, a small smile forming. "Yes. Exactly." The quiet satisfaction in his voice unsettled her more than any direct confrontation they might have. He's observing me, she realized, watching for anything I slip up on, waiting for any gap in my knowledge.

The rest of the group followed along, taking notes, some nodding with newfound understanding. But Delphia couldn't shake the lingering awareness of Zypher's deeper intent.

His gaze, every so often, swept over her like an investigator's lamp, peeling back the layers she kept firmly in place. Even as the lesson wore on, she fought to maintain her 'calm,' answering only as needed, her composure never faltering. Yet inside, her nerves thrummed at the closeness of his observation. He posed each question with mild indifference, but to Delphia, the subtext felt plain—he was probing, testing, waiting to see if her veneer would crack.

By the time the session ended, Delphia's palms felt faintly clammy, though she kept a straight face. Zypher offered a final demonstration, then dismissed the group with a polite dip of his head. The other students began packing up their things, chatting excitedly as they left the group.

Delphia, however, lingered at her table, jotting down her own notes on what she had learned. She was focusing on the parchment in front of her, pretending not to notice Zypher's slow approach. She sensed him before she saw him, the familiar aura of his being brushing against her like a whisper.

He leaned towards her slightly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "You're hiding something," he said softly, his words carrying a weight that made her pulse quicken.

Delphia's heart skipped, but she kept her hand steady as she finished the final strokes of her writing.

Don't react.

Keep calm.

With a deliberate slowness, she set her quill down and closed her notebook, lifting her gaze to meet his.

"We're all hiding something," she replied, her tone light, her smile practiced. "Aren't we?"

For a moment, they locked eyes. He appeared serene, yet there was a hidden layer of emotion lurking beneath the surface. She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was—skepticism, or intuition? His lips curved upwards in a smile, but his eyes didn't mirror the same joy. She had observed this before from afar when he spoke with others, but now, his gaze held more intensity than ever before, making it impossible to ignore.

"You're right," he said, his voice smooth. "We all have our secrets."

Delphia let out a quiet breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. But before she could let the relief settle, his expression shifted—his smile sharpening into something more serious, more direct.

"But…" Zypher continued, leaning in just slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "I have a feeling yours are particularly... interesting."

The air around them seemed to grow heavier, his words laced with an unspoken challenge. Delphia kept her face impassive, though the tension between them crackled like the energy of a spell ready to be cast.

She blinked slowly, maintaining her calm exterior. "Careful, Zypher." She replied, her voice equally soft but laced with a hint of amusement. "Curiosity has often killed the cat."

He didn't respond right away, his maroon eyes scanning her face as if searching for any sign of weakness, any telltale crack in her composure. But when he spoke again, his tone was measured, controlled. "Sure," he agreed, straightening up.

"But satisfaction is worth the trouble." Without waiting for her response, Zypher turned and walked away, his strides deliberate and unhurried.

Delphia watched him go, her heart still racing. She knew this game of theirs was only beginning, and from the way Zypher's words lingered in the air, she had a feeling that whatever came next would only intensify the stakes.

This wasn't just idle suspicion. Zypher was onto something. And the question now wasn't just whether she could keep her secrets hidden—but how long she could stay ahead of him.