Mage of the Storm

RAYMOND. 

Raymond's eyes flew open, and he was once again in the vast expanse of space. 

"Shit!" he said to himself. "Am I dead again already?" 

"No Raymond, you are not." 

It sounded like the same Voice he heard during his reincarnation. 

"So, what am I doing here?" he asked, gesturing to the space around him. 

"We are actually in your own mind Raymond, and I must say it is a beautiful space." 

"Um, thanks." Raymond scratched the back of head. "Who are you, by the way?" 

"I have no name. I am the consciousness of this universe. I manage its balance, growth and safety." 

"Wow, what do you want with me?" 

Raymond was barely able to comprehend the meaning of what he just heard. 

"I merely want to congratulate you. Through the act of coitus with a maiden of your new world, you have bound your soul to it thus awakening your magic and abilities." 

"Wait , so if I hadn't slept with Samantha..?" 

"It would have taken a near death experience or year of meditation to awaken your magic." 

"I wish I would have known that, it's a good thing I did not run out immediately and try to fight some magical beast." 

"Indeed, you would have had only your physical abilities to rely on and would have most likely died. Again." 

"So, what now?" 

"Choose a beginning element. You will awake with full knowledge of your magical abilities. Then the girl you are with will take you to the king where your journey will begin." 

"Beginning element? Does that mean I can unlock more?" 

"Yes Raymond, you can. Through study, experience, or coitus." 

Raymond waited for a moment before pressing, giving the Voice a chance to explain on its own.

 As it was, this felt more like dealing with a computer and a supreme consciousness. 

Finally, he asked. "Can you elaborate?" 

"Study. Read books or be taught understanding of the magical element by a master of that element. 

Experience. If you are attacked by a magical element that you do not control, you may attempt to absorb the mana. If you are successful, you will gain a high level of control over that element. 

Coitus. By engaging in coitus with a maiden of this world, that you have not engaged with before, you will gain access to a random element. 

If you engage with an individual that has access to magic, you will gain access to the same magic they have." 

"So, if I sleep with a virgin, I get a random magic. If I sleep with any other woman that has magic, I get access to their magic." 

"Any magical individual." the Voice corrected. 

"Why the distinction?" 

"By 'woman' you mean human female, correct? Your partner does not need to be human, neither do they need to be female." 

"Oh." Raymond said, stunned. "I see. Very progressive." 

"The rest of the universe is not as rigid with sexuality as Earth has become." 

"Huh." was all Raymond could say. 

"What is your choice of element?" 

Raymond thought for a second. He remembered Thor always being his favorite character, whether it was comics or mythology. So, his choice was clear. 

"Lightning!" 

"Excellent choice Raymond! In this world, lightning comes from Storm magic, which is a fusion of Air and Water masteries. 

By choosing Storm magic you will automatically gain mastery in both of those basic elements. Congratulations Raymond, Mage of the Storm!" 

Raymond gave a low whistle as his body began to crackle with electricity. He looked at his hands as sparks hopped between his fingers. 

He clenched his fist and watched arks of lightning dance around them. 

"Oh, this is epic," he said with a wide grin. 

"It is time for you to wake up and begin your journey now Raymond. Good luck" 

With that Raymond slowly woke from his slumber. He swore he could hear the faint sound of distant giggling.

 The scent of food coaxed him to his senses. He sat up, slightly surprised to not be sore from last night's activity.

 He looked up to see a beautiful sight. Samantha was already up, humming and smiling contently to herself while plating magnificent breakfast. 

She was a vision. 

Her thin, lacy white nightgown barely covered her voluptuous body, while at the same time making her look like an angel. 

Breakfast was fried eggs, roasted meat, sweet bread, and various fruits. Samantha smiled and blushed when she noticed Raymond awake and staring at her.

 "Good morning." she sang, biting her lip. "I figured you'd be hungry after yesterday, so I made breakfast." 

Raymond strode over to her. He took the plate she was holding and set it on the table. 

He put a hand on the small of her back, pulling her close, and kissed her deeply. She put a hand on his chest and completely melted into his embrace. 

"Good morning, beautiful." His voice was low and sensual. 

Samantha blushed again, shivers running down her spine. Every part of her body wanted a repeat of the night before.

 She licked her lips as she looked up at him. 

"You hungry?" she asked softly, hoping he would say something lewd to give her an excuse to jump on him. 

His stomach growled loud. They both laughed as they sat down to eat. 

Raymond was enraptured as he tasted his food. 

"Mmmmm" he moaned as he made his way around his plate, eyes rolling back in head. 

"I have no idea what any of this is, but it's so good." 

Samantha giggled. "It's just basic stuff, bird eggs, wolf meat, and local fruit. I'm glad you like it. Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies". 

Raymond shook his head. "You could open a restaurant with food like this!" 

He said through Spoonfuls of eggs. 

Samantha smiled as she bit a sweet roll. "I wish, but the kingdom has a law against magically enhanced food in restaurants." 

They chatted for a while, enjoying their food and each other's company. During their conversation Raymond learned about the four kingdoms. 

Moscus was a military state. They had the largest military due to a two-year mandatory service requirement for all citizens. 

They were known for renting out battalions to the other kingdoms in times of need. The kingdom sat to the far west near the wasteland where the Black Dragon was buried. 

The fact that they were the first to fall, despite their strength, set the rest to the continent on edge. 

To the north, in the mountains, the Kingdom of Britannia was a bastion of trade and scholarship. 

The elves that lived there dedicated their lives to the study of everything but magic. If it couldn't be measured and monetized, it didn't interest them. 

They believed magic was best left to the dragons. 

The southern coast belonged to the Kingdom of LaSpania. They were the only kingdom that welcomed beastkin and didn't treat them like second-class citizens. 

They lived off the land and built homes in the trees. They believed in being one with nature and used magic as a part of everyday life. 

Their tropical climate grew the most exotic fruits, the trade of which made them the second richest kingdom next to Britannia. Their way of life made them the friendliest and most humble. 

The eastern plains was the home to the magical Kingdom of Americus. Anyone that wanted to be a proper mage went to Americus to study at Phoenix Magic Academy. 

It was a Kingdom where Magic was everything. Power and status went only to the most talented mages. 

Some called it a Magi-tocracy. Even the position of King would be given to the one who proved themselves as the most powerful mage, The Grand Wizard. 

It was the Grand Wizard that Raymond was going to see today.