Chapter 19

School had ended for the day, but studying wasn’t over for Ayisa. She had planned another rigorous study session, one in which she would claw her brains out trying to understand basic concepts, when Iris came over and offered to help her with magic training. Layis followed as the pair headed into the magic training grounds.

“I'm surprised you have time today,” Layis murmured.

“I always have time for my students.”

“Considering you say that to everyone… hey, you wanted to see that magic in action, huh?”

Iris knocked lightly on her head. “You got me.”

“... But it shouldn't work?” Ayisa asked.

The field had an active magic nullification shield. This way, people wouldn’t get hurt from magic attacks. The perfect place to train. This also meant something like emotional magic, a non-physical element, shouldn't have an effect here. Nothing could confirm it.

“You can still feel the effects. It just can't hurt you,” Iris said. “I also want to see how far you've gotten.”

Layis sat on the side. Ayisa stood on the opposite end of Iris, the two facing each other. Iris gave her a confident grin.

“Come on, don't hold back.”

Ayisa steeled her resolve. The girl had never attacked another person before. She launched a fire magic spell at herself.

“Ayisa?” Iris asked in surprise.

Only after making sure she wasn't harmed did she begin firing spells at Iris.

Layis watched as Ayisa struck Iris with spell after spell, Iris using her rapier to create a shield. She didn't just defend, though. Most of the time, she opted to dodge instead of changing elements.

Ayisa wove her pen, moving it as if she were painting. Various colors appeared on its tip, changing glow with each attack. She had been studying all the elements, including the non-physical ones, painting a gorgeous sight as the colors danced at her fingertips.

“Huh!?” Iris yelped as she jumped to the side, staring at where she once stood.

“Are you alright, Miss Iris?” Ayisa panicked. Had she hurt her?

“I'm fine. What was that anyway?”

“Time magic.”

Iris' mouth fell open. “Time? You can use time?”

The lesser-known six, better known as non-physical elements, were more difficult to make sense of, as what they did and how were unclear. The human eye couldn’t observe them. They existed as long as anyone could remember, but the books said they were more difficult to study.

Layis had stood up at some point, staring at her as well. A group of three stood outside the field, peering in, whispering among themselves. Were they criticizing her? Ayisa shivered.

“You have a really awesome arsenal,” Iris said. “Time magic… so that's how it feels to be on the receiving end.”

“How does it feel?” Layis asked.

“Very strange,” Iris said. “Have you ever felt like you've spent a long time studying, only to realize you're just ten minutes into the lesson? Or barely spent any time out in town, yet the sun is already setting in the west? Crank that up to ten.”

“That sounds like hell,” Layis said. “You've understood it all too well.”

“I used to be a student, you know.”

A magic that messed with one's perception of time. Ayisa could think of scenarios when it would be useful.

“You have potential, Ayisa. Give it a few years, and you'll surpass me.”

“Yo- you think so?”

Iris nodded. “No pressure, though. You're only responsible for yourself.”

“Saying that will only make her feel more pressured.” Layis sighed. She glanced at Ayisa, shaking her head. “Already falling behind, aren’t I?”

Ayisa didn't hear what Layis said clearly. She thought of asking but reconsidered.

“You're fine the way you are, Layis,” Iris said, throwing her arm around her shoulder. “Everyone has their own strengths.”

“You wouldn't get it, Miss Iris.”

“Yeah, maybe you're right,” Iris said. “Still, I want to think I can help, even if just a little.”

Layis pushed Iris’ hand off her shoulder. “Just get back to teaching her.”

“You want to try fighting as well? Who knows, you might learn a thing or two.”

Layis stared at Ayisa like a wolf stalking its prey.

“This is boring,” she declared.

A sword of flames appeared right in front of her wand, its blade staring down at Ayisa. Ayisa could feel the heat, far greater than her own attack. Sweat ran down her brow. Without another word, Layis sent it hurling at her.

“Eep!” She cried, creating a shield made of metal to nullify it right as it was about to hit her.

“Whoa, that's huge, Layis! You've really grown.”

“Don't lie to me,” Layis said, looking down at the ground, cheeks slightly red.

“This feels like a super dangerous monster fight. Don't you think it's exciting?”

“I'm the monster!?” Ayisa cried from the other side. Deserved, to be fair. She had spells that even Iris didn't know existed.

“Just to be clear, I'm not counting this as our duel!” Layis declared, sending yet another flaming sword toward her.

Ayisa ran. The sword chased. From a distance, she could see Layis's wand shining bright red. If she could knock it out, it would cease her attacks.

She concentrated. Not easy in the midst of being chased.

Focus! Focu- hot hot hot!

The intense fire penetrated her shield. She switched elements, using light instead, which protected her better. With her back covered, she sent a wind attack to throw Layis off balance. She dropped her wand, ending the battle.

“I’m surprised at how quickly you change your element. It’s like you don’t need a weapon at all.”

“I… don’t really understand it myself,” Ayisa replied.

“Let’s stop and rest,” Iris said.

She returned the silver rapier to its sheath. Many of the teachers carried weapons in some form, but not as striking as the rapier.

“I can’t believe you didn’t understand what a weapon is for just a while ago,” Layis murmured, staring at Ayisa.

“It’s for magic amplification?” she asked.

“Not just that,” Iris said. “But with your skills, you don’t exactly need the second function.”

Ayisa figured that knowing would do her good, so she asked anyway.

“Well, most people found switching elements on the go difficult.”

“It’s doable, but not as easy as you,” Layis said, her eyes narrowing. “Just who are you, Ayisa? First emotional magic, now this.”

“Didn’t you watch her fight the other day?” Iris asked.

“I was there watching her not move as Tawurofs assaulted her. How am I supposed to notice her fancy switching technique?”

Didn’t she tell her of the Tawurofs’ weaknesses? Maybe she wasn’t expecting her to switch so quickly.

Soul. Emotional. Right Hand. Pen. Tip. Orb. Pen Tip. Layis. Attack.

“... Waa!” Layis yelped, hopping to the side. She glared at Ayisa, Ayisa letting out a frightened squeak.

“You attacked me!”

“I- I thought you wanted a demonstration.”

“That's emotional magic!?”

“Frightening, isn't it?” Iris said.

“No wonder the Tawurofs were so scared! I can't believe you've been hiding this from me all this time!”

“I- I didn't!”

“Shut up!” Layis sent forth another fury of spells, chasing Ayisa around.

“Strike back, damnit!”

Soul. Time. Right Hand. Pen. Tip. Area. Pen Tip. Layis. Attack.

“Whoa!”

“What was that? What was that!?”

“Space?”

“You're crazy.”

Practicing magic was all she did in her spare time. It was all she could do in that forest. It took days of endless practice to be able to use those spells.

Am I… really that powerful?

She had occasionally used the spells during her hunt, but never really understood what some of them did. Her prey couldn't exactly communicate to her what they felt.

“This is fun.” Iris giggled as she watched the two trade blow after blow.

“Take this seriously, Ayisa!” Layis shouted. So far, she did the most attacking, with Ayisa occasionally throwing a spell back.

“I already am!”

“It's not enough!”

“And… pause!” Iris clapped her hands, bringing the battle to a halt.

Only now did Ayisa realize she had gathered quite a crowd. Her legs shook as she saw the many students gathering around the training field, including some of her classmates. Haru, in particular, was glaring at her.

“What is it? I'm not done yet!”

“Ayisa, do you know about using multiple spells?”

Ayisa shook her head. She had used them before, but she wasn't sure whether her method was correct or not.

“You do know about using multiple weapons, right?”

Ayisa had seen it in class, but she hadn't tried it.

“Having multiple weapons is easier for your brain, as you link one weapon with one element. Although, seeing how quickly you switched, it's not surprising that you don't need it.”

A flaming spear appeared right next to Layis, her own wand glowed light green.

“Yes, that's a non-physical weapon. Allows you to use more elements easily,” Iris said, waving at the spear.

“Can I borrow your rapier, Miss Iris?”

“Here you go.”

The second it touched Layis' hand, the weapon glowed dark blue.

“This is the best I could do right now, but I'm not giving up.”

Ayisa let out a squeak as round two began.