Chapter 1.3: Roots of Mana (Final)

Ikora shuffled down the stairs, a large bag on her back as she descended.

"You got it, love?" Elaine got up from her seat next to Dalben and went to the bottom of the stairs.

"I got it!" She replied right before she lost her balance and nearly fell over.

Elaine quickly swooped over to Ikora and held out her arms, stopping Ikora from falling down the stairs. "Are you sure? Seems like you packed a bit much there.”

"Thanks, and I'm fine, Mom!" Standing up, Ikora made her way to the door before being stopped.

"Ikora, would you mind coming to see us for a second?" Dalben said from the next room over.

Setting her bag down, Ikora went to the next room and sat, glancing over at the two of her parents. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, my little mage; your mother and I just wanted to have a quick talk with you."

Elaine crossed her legs, resting her hands on top of them. "You know what you are getting yourself into, correct?"

"Uhh… yes, ma'am, I think so."

Elaine and Dalben looked at each other before continuing.

"I already know the risks that come with it, and I'm ready for it."

"Mom, I wouldn't be where I am now without your support and teachings."

Elaine smiled after hearing this. "I'm happy that you are confident in your abilities. But you know that WAMA will not be easy on you, correct?" She stated.

"Not only that, you'll be competing with other students to show your best, and if you fall behind, the school will not hesitate to kick you out," Dalben added.

"Dad, don't worry, I had the best teacher in the world!"

"Why, thank you." Elaine quickly said.

"Mom, you went to this school before. Is there anything you could tell me?"

"Yes, that's correct; what was it again…?" She rubbed her head as she thought. "Ah, that's right!"

"In the first few months, you'll be in the classroom, lessons, and practices, yes—but after that, they expect you to apply everything you've learned on the field. That means heading out and facing real creatures. Ones that don't hold back or give you a chance to rethink a decision."

"You may be brave—it's no surprise, as you come from me—but bravery doesn't guarantee one's victory; bravery can lead to ignorance, and ignorance leads to most deaths!"

She paused, letting her words linger. "Pick your missions and duels wisely when you reach that point."

Dalben nodded in agreement, "That's when it becomes real—no spells on a practice target, no having to worry about being struck back. Your targets will be trying to fight back, trying to ki–"

"Dad, dad, I know… I know; I read the warning and signed the Academy's agreement when I signed up, and as long as you guys believe in me, I think I'll be just fine."

Elaine reached over and placed her hand gently on Ikora's. "We believe in you and know you've got the skill. We just want you to know that you can always quit anytime and return home if you must."

Ikora stared down at her mother's hand, pausing momentarily before squeezing. "Thank you guys… thank you guys for everything, "she said, her voice cracking as she smiled.

"I'll be sure to make you guys proud!"

"Now, that's what I want to hear from you!" Dalben gave Ikora a high-five before continuing. "You remember that promise you made?"

"Are you serious?! Do you really think I could forget the main reason WHY we're here in the first place?"

"Hey, I'm just asking to make sure," Dalben said as he put on glasses and took out a paper. "So, about your pick-up?"

Ikora tilted her head, looking between her parents. "What's going on?"

"Well, uh, it says that your pick-up is not close."

"So? Where is it?" Elaine asked.

Dalben nodded, adjusting the paper in his hands. "They'll be picking you up at the edge of town."

Elaine shot up to her legs, glancing at Dalben and Ikora before speaking. "No, no, NO!!"

"Elaine?"

"I said it several times before, and this will be the last time I repeat myself! Ikora is NOT allowed outside of town. Even going to the edges is off-limits!"

"It's too dangerous, and I'm not letting my daughter go out there!" She turned to Ikora, looking at her as she continued. "Get your shoes on, get your bag; I'm taking you myself."

"Mom, didn't you just say you believed in my skills? I know you've always said that the outside of town is dangerous and is in active conflict, but you taught me how to defend myself."

"Yes, I did. When I said that, I meant I believed in your skill to excel at the Academy, not your capability to fight possible threats!"

"But I–"

"End of discussion. Get your shoes on, let's go."

"Hey, not fair!"

Elaine stared at Ikora, her eyes piercing through her daughter's. "End. Of. Discussion." She walked into another part of the house to get ready.

Ikora looked over at Dalben, who looked back at her.

"Hey, hey, hey! Look at me." He ran his hand through his daughter's hair, kneeling as he tried to have her watering eyes meet his own eyes. "Hey, your mother doesn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"Don't cry, it's okay. I believe you'll be fine! Do you remember everything I taught you myself?"

Through sniffles, Ikora answered. "Y-Yes… I do."

"Okay, uhh, that's good that's good!." He patted her shoulders. “Here's what we'll—” Dalben paused as he stared at his daughter.

“Ikora, that look on your face… what are you planning to do?”

Outside, Elaine was sitting in her vehicle, waiting for Ikora to enter. She rested her hands on the staring wheeling, tapping her fingers as she let out a low grumble. "Where is that girl…"

But Ikora had come up with a different plan.

She soared through the skies on her staff, the wind whipping around her as she traveled at breathtaking speeds. The landscape blurred beneath her, with rooftops and trees rushing by in various colors. Her destination lay at the farthest edges of the town. As she flew, the lights and sounds of Eirendale grew fainter, leaving only the cold and the wind passing through her hair to accompany her.

After several minutes, Ikora landed near a welcome sign for newcomers to the town. Beneath a lamppost stood a bench, and she walked over to sit on it, her staff floating right beside her.

The cold wind blew against her face, and she could hear rustling from the nearby plant life. Different animals and beasts echoed in the distance, and occasionally, a car passed by, some heading into town and some leaving the city to wherever the road would take them.

Eventually, all the sounds fell silent as time passed, only the cars passing by here and there, but soon, those too ceased. It wasn't long before the footsteps approaching caused her to sit up straight.

Squinting her eyes into the darkness, she saw the outline of somebody. They were short and had spiky hair, and she could not make out any details until the person got under the lamppost and sat beside her, saying nothing.

"Hey there?" She slowly raised her hand and waved.

The boy looked over at her. He had three strange red markings on his face, and part of his dark red hair covered one of his piercing crimson eyes. His teeth were like those of a shark, sharp and shiny. He wore a dark red and orange coat with black pants.

"Eh, hey." He muttered before turning away.

"Are you here for the WAMA student pick-up?"

The boy didn't respond.

"Okay…"

Silence.

Nothing but silence.

Crack…

A branch snapped in the darkness. Both of them sat up. Ikora grabbed her staff and looked around for the source of the sound.

The following silence around her was almost too complete, the town's lights a distant blur on the horizon. Shadows stretched long across the deserted road, and Ikora grabbed her staff.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You heard it too," Said Ikora.

Ikora gripped her staff tighter, scanning the surrounding darkness, her heart pounding as the sounds grew closer. Beside her, the boy narrowed his eyes as he looked around.

Another crack.

This time, it was louder, followed by a low, vibrating buzz that made the hair on Ikora's arms stand on end. Her eyes darted to the tree line, and there—she caught a glimpse of something shifting in the shadows, wings glinting faintly in the pale light of the lamppost.

Before she could react, a monstrous, hornet-like creature burst from the foliage with a high-pitched screech, its wings beating so fast they were a blur. The beast was almost as big as a bus, its sleek black-and-orange body lit up by the nearby lamppost.

Ikora and the boy stumbled back as she raised her staff instinctively.

The creature hovered, buzzing angrily. The boy stepped back before turning around and running away to hide.

"Hey! Where are you going–" The creature lunged forward, and Ikora barely had time to leap out of the way, feeling the rush of air as its stinger jabbed into the spot she had been standing. The ground hissed where the venom made contact.

Ikora looked back, watching the land where the venom landed become scorched.

Her heart pounded as the hornet lunged at her again, its wings vibrating so loud it caused her to cover her ears.

She threw herself to the side, hitting the ground hard and rolling to her feet just in time to see the creature's stinger stab into the snow where she'd been standing. Steam hissing as a burning scent came from the ground as the venom melted through the frost, leaving a deep black scorch mark.

Not even a second later, It darted towards her. Ikora pulled her staff up in defense, but the hornet's mandibles clamped down, trapping the staff between them.

She shook her arms as she struggled to keep the creature's massive jaws from closing, looking around for the boy who ran away, only to find him nowhere.

"Help me out!"

She shouted as she turned back to the monster, its serrated teeth grinding against the wood, sending wood chips into her face.

Thinking fast, Ikora raised her foot and kicked as hard as possible.

SQUISH!

The noise echoed through the air, followed by a sickening crunch.

"Get… the hell off!" She kicked and kicked, trying to pull her staff away and keep her balance as her boots scraped against the slippery asphalt.

Finally, with a sharp jerk, the hornet wrenched the staff from her hands and flung it aside. Ikora stumbled back, eyes widening as she watched where her weapon had landed.

The hornet's crimson eyes locked on her, feeling like they were burning into her with the heat of a hundred suns.

She reached out, recalling her staff.

Its chipped body shot toward her just as the creature lunged again. She barely managed to catch it before raising it to block the blow, chips flying as the impact sent her skidding back several feet.

Her breathing was ragged, and her arms trembled as the creature buzzed its wings, kicking the snow around them in a white mist.

Ikora started circling the hornet, and the creature did the same.

Keeping her staff raised, her muscles ached, and her chest burned with every breath.

The creature dug into the ground again before darting towards her, its stinger aiming for her chest.

She ducked low, the stinger grazing her shoulder and sending a jolt of pain down her arm, gritting her teeth while covering her nose as the burning scent returned.

She twisted her body, swinging the staff in an arc as a blue glow surrounded her hands.

Charging her staff, Ikora fired a Mana Blast into the creature's side.

The blow connected, and an explosion sent the creature reeling. A gust of wind sent blades of grass, dirt, and snow into the air, obscuring her vision.

It recovered fast… too fast.

Orange liquid dripped from a large hole in the hornet's skull, bits of orange mush and exoskeleton melting together, making a hiss.

It rushed her again, its massive body slamming into hers.

She hit the ground hard; the air knocked from her lungs. Her vision blurred for a moment as she struggled to push herself up.

"Get up. Get up!" She heard a voice shout at her from in her head. "We can't die here!"

Looking to her side, she noticed her staff a distance away. Glowing as she looked at it.

Digging her hands into the snow, she began crawling to it.

But the buzzing sound grew closer as the hornet flew back to her. It lunged at her leg with a swift darting motion, orange venom dripping from its mandibles.

"No–!" She cried as the creature grabbed her leg and lifted her, her arms digging up snow as she flailed, attempting to grab her weapon.

But suddenly, a rock hit the injured side of the hornet's head, causing it to drop her and screech in pain.

A distance away stood the boy, legs shaking as he watched the beast.

The boy's gaze was locked onto the monster.

It gazed back.

Clicking its mandibles, it began chasing the boy as he fled.

This was her chance. Ikora steadied her breath and pushed herself up, her leg and head in searing pain.

She remembered one of the magic abilities she learned during her mother's teachings, and turned over to face her leg.

Mana began to flow through her veins, and the pain began to subside as the venom began to clear from her body.

Layers of skin began to grow back as the bleeding soon stopped and the scratches, scrapes, and cuts closed, making her body feel entirely new.

Then, she reached out for her staff, calling for it as it flew back to her.

Looking over, Ikora saw that the hornet was still chasing the boy.

The hornet lunged at him, and the boy stepped out of the way mandibles, his eyes wide as he continued to sweat.

The hornet clicked its mandibles as it turned towards him and prepared to strike again.

But before it could move, two blasts of mana impacted it.

One blew off a leg while another exploded on a wing, scattering blue particles that lit up the area.

The creature turned its attention to Ikora, swinging its stinger behind as the boy backed up.

Mandibles wide, it charged at her.

With the monster being slower, she waited until it got close and lunged at her.

Ikora side-stepped at the last second before twirling her staff, the charged tip aimed at the side of the creature's head.

Time slowed as the creature stared at her, listening to the last words it'd ever hear.

"...One blast…"

She gripped her staff tightly as a low hum emitted from the staff.

"Is all it'll take.…"

With those words uttered, A dazzling burst of blue light lit up the night, casting shadows all around. At the same time, a thunderous boom echoed through the air, shaking the ground around them as she fired a beam of magic.

It pierced clean through the hornet's skull but didn't stop there; the beam continued far into the sky, tearing a hole into a giant cloud before exploding mid-air.

A powerful shockwave tore through the air, sending a wave of energy that cleared the night sky.

The leaves on the trees swirled chaotically, and branches swayed violently, their rustling nearly drowned out by the overwhelming force sweeping the landscape. At the same time, chunks of soil and small pebbles were shot upwards, momentarily suspended in the air before all falling at once.

The boy watched, mouth agape as bits of exoskeleton, flesh, leaves, sticks, snow, and other debris danced in the mist created by the beam's explosion!

Tiny blue lights scattered across the landscape shone like fallen stars, casting an otherworldly glow over the area. Once covered in white snow, the ground revealed a large patch of green grass.

Blades of grass swayed slightly in the gentle breeze, some floating through the air as they were caught in the magic's glow.

Everything cleared, and the boy could once again see. He saw Ikora standing over the hornet's body.

Her breaths came fast and shallow with tiny fits of coughing, her entire body trembling. She didn't move, didn't lower her weapon—just watched.

The night once again fell silent, with the sound of distant animals and town life returning.

It was over.

The boy watched as Ikora turned to face the body, looking down at him as if she were thinking.

Ikora extended her hand to the boy, helping him to his feet. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice steady despite the exhaustion coursing through her.

The boy avoided her gaze, mumbling, "I'm fine…"

"Good. Mind telling me your name?"

The boy hesitated, glancing away, muttering something incoherent under his breath.

"What's with the attitude? I just saved you, you know!" Ikora crossed her arms, trying to catch his attention.

The boy didn't respond. Instead, his attention shifted past her, his crimson eyes widening in alarm.

"Hey! Are you even—"

Ikora stopped mid-sentence, noticing the boy's hand slowly rise, pointing behind her.

Turning around at a snail's pace, she was met by the sight of another hornet emerging from the shadows.

This one was far larger than the last; its deep crimson exoskeleton was marked with jagged black stripes.

Its wings were twice the size of the first hornet's and beat with a low hum as it clicked its mandibles. It stepped into the light, the ground shuddering beneath its weight.

Ikora gripped her staff tightly as she stared it down. Her body still ached from the last battle, but she had pushed it to the back of her mind.

The hornet reared up on its hind legs, towering over her and the boy.

Ikora steadied her breath, preparing to defend herself. But before she could make her move, the hornet attacked!

Time seemed to slow as its massive stinger raced toward them, but just as it was about to strike, there was a change in the air.

SH-SH-SHINK!

SHING!

A strange, high-pitched sound pierced the night, and streaks of green and black light—sharp and precise—sliced cleanly across the hornet's torso.

The creature froze mid-attack as orange liquid spilled from the deep gashes all over its body.

Ikora blinked as she stared at it.

Glowing slash marks shimmered across the hornet's exoskeleton before fading, leaving the massive creature motionless.

Then, from above, a faint emerald glow caught her eye.

Ikora and the boy looked up and gasped as they watched a figure descend from the sky, engulfed in a soft green light.

They wore black garments with green trim, and their green hair flowed in the air as she landed silently on the ground before them.

She locked on the monster, her piercing green eyes glowing, and she began moving her hands in strange ways, moving around the stunned hornet with great speed as she did so.

Ikora stared, her mouth agape. "N-No way…" she whispered, clutching her staff tightly.

"It can't be…!"

The hornet's body twitched weakly, a faint hiss escaping its ruptured shell.

Esmeralda then jumped back and held her arms out before snapping her fingers.

In an instant, the creature's body convulsed. Its blood erupted from the deep gashes, spewing onto the frost-covered ground.

The hornet let out one last screech before collapsing, lifeless.

Ikora flinched at the sound, but her eyes remained locked on the woman before excitement rushed through her.

"It is you! Esmeralda!" she exclaimed, a smile spread across her lips.

"I can't believe this! You're here!"

But Esmeralda didn't respond.

She gave off a feeling of calm, yet cold, as she glanced at Ikora from the corner of her eye.

There was no smile, words of encouragement, or praise—only a look that lingered as she turned back to the creature.

“DID YOU SEE HOW I TOOK OUT THAT BEAST?!” Ikora exclaimed while waving her staff around. “ALL THE COOL LIGHTS LIKE YOU DO, AND THE BRIGHT FLASH!”

“It was so cool, I'm going to be just like you…Esmeralda?”

Ikora's excitement faded as she noticed her face. "Esmeralda…?" She murmured.

But she was met with no response.

Esmeralda looked at Ikora, then the boy, then Ikora once more.

"You're…” She took several deep breaths, calming herself.

“You're reckless…" Esmeralda said quietly.

Then, without waiting for a reply, she faced Ikora, her cloak swaying as she stepped forward, half her face covered inside with her green eyes locked onto the young girl's, piercing her.

Ikora stood frozen, her hands gripping her staff as she raised her eyebrow.

"Wha…?" The one she had idolized her whole life stood before her, but this was not the meeting she had imagined.

“Shouldn't you be proud of me? I'm catching up!”

“You remember what I promised you all those years ago, right? What's wrong?”

Esmeralda shook her head as she spoke. "Why are you kids out here so late? Where are your parents?"

"Well, Esmeralda,” Ikora stood proudly as she spoke “I can care for myself, I'm 17! My mom doubted I could handle myself out here alone but look at what I did before you—"

Esmeralda waved her hand. "No, no, stop… quiet, you aren't supposed to be out here for this exact reason.”

"Take a look at yourself, or, yourselves I should say.” She stated as her gaze shifted between the two. “Scratched, dirty, torn, and you handled it?!”

Ikora and the boy looked at each other.

Putting her hand on her temple, Esmeralda continued. "You two… You two are lucky I was on nightly patrols around this area due to some reports."

"If I had been here any second later, you two would most likely be dead now."

Esmeralda slowly rose back up into the air. "Here's some advice: listen to your parents, kids."

Ikora cupped her hands and yelled up towards Esmeralda. "WAIT! WHAT REPORTS?!”

“None of your concern, kiddo, now get home.”

“But–!”

Not another word could be said before Esmeralda blasted off towards the direction of the city.

Ikora and the boy returned to the waiting area for their pick-up. Time passed until the sound of an engine coming down the street could be heard, and a pair of headlights finally appeared in the distance.

The sound of tires screeching echoed in the night as a car door opened, and then slammed shut. The noise of boots crunching in the snow got closer as somebody shouted.

“Ikora Elaris Blackhart! Didn't I tell you not to come out here alone?!" Elaine grabbed Ikora by her arm as the boy watched.

Elaine eyed the boy as she dragged Ikora away and put her into the vehicle before getting in herself.

None of the two said a word until the silence was broken by Elaine.

"Why… why, why, why, why, why, why, why?!

“Just why?!?”

“Just why can't you just listen to me?!"

"Mom–”

“I try my hardest to keep you safe, but you just don't listen! You always run off to do your own thing even when I know what's best for you!”

“But I beat a monster!”

“But I told you to wait for me so I could drop you off and make sure you get on the train safely!” Elaine's grip tightened around her steering wheel.

“I told you I can handle it–!”

"Oh, Handle it? HANDLE IT?!?" Elaine yelled as she dug her nails into the wheel.

“Have you taken a look at what you did!?" Her hand shot out, knocking around several small objects hanging over her dashboard as she pointed toward the landscape.

Turning to face her daughter, Elaine gently grabbed her clothes. "And look at your clothes, you're all messed up!"

"And what's that??" Elaine pointed at Ikora's pants leg. "A bite mark? One of the damn hornets around here bit you?!"

"Mom, I'm fine! I beat it!"

"Ikora, no, you…” She slammed her hand on the center of the wheel, causing the vehicle's horn to go off.

“Gods above… you don't understand how damn terrified you had me!" Elaine replied as her voice began to crack.

"What would have happened if… if… I don't know!" She threw her hands up as she stared out the windshield.

Silence lingered in the car as Ikora stared at her mother, slowly shifting her gaze out the window, resting her hand on her head, and watching the snowflakes fall to the ground.

Then, a distant whistle broke the silence.

Elaine let out a sigh.

"Look… I apologize, but you can't keep doing things like this. One day, you're going to slip up, one day you're going to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong group of people, and that's going to get you killed."

“I'm not even going to hide it, if you're trying to get into this field you can't keep doing that. This behavior stops. Now.”

“...” Ikora didn't respond.

“Ikora.”

“Yes ma'am…”

"Good… I hope you'll learn to think before running into things; that's part of why I wanted to help you get into this academy."

A rumbling noise filled the night as a yellow light grew in the sky, getting closer and closer to the pick-up spot.

"Please, Ikora. The world out there is not a friendly place. It's nasty, very nasty, and people like you don't last that long.”

Ikora didn't reply as she watched the yellow light grow larger. It soon landed on the road ahead as the source came into view.

“Did you hear me?”

A large locomotive with six wheels, two larger than the rest, shone in a glossy navy blue with gold trim. The engine was seen pulling several coaches behind it. As it came to a stop, the engine released a puff of smoke.

“Yes ma'am.” Ikora watched as the boy from earlier got up from where he was sitting and got on.

“Well, get your stuff. Good luck.”

“Thanks, mom.” Ikora grabbed her belongings and opened the door of her mother's car.

“Hey,” but she was stopped by Elaine's voice. “Love you.”

“Love you too, mom.” She replied as she shut the door.

Ikora approached the train and stepped inside as her mother watched.

The train coach's interior was cozy, quiet, and warm, bathed in soft, golden light. Soft seats lined each side of the aisle; their fluffy surfaces appeared inviting and well-kept.

The faint hum of the train blended in with the occasional rustle of pages from a book and the occasional chatter between other passengers or staff. The scent of flowers hung in the air.

She looked around for a seat. The one that caught her eye had the same boy from earlier sitting in it, so she decided to sit down there.

"Hey." She waved at him.

"Let me sleep…" The boy replied as he turned the other way.

"Oh–sorry." Lowering her hand, Ikora adjusted her bag beside her,

An attendant soon approached, clean and perfect in their navy blue and gold uniform. Their shoes clicked against the floor, and they smiled as they stopped near her seat.

"You must be Ikora Blackhart, correct?" They said.

Ikora nodded as the Attendant continued, "Wonderful! Welcome to the WAMA Express; we're happy you're on board!"

"Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable. We will take your belongings and store them somewhere safe. Don't worry; you'll see your stuff again at the Academy!"

Beep

A voice came over the train as it let out a whistle. "Attention all passengers, attention all passengers! The WAMA Express has now collected all first-year students. Our next destination will be Wallowden's Academy of the Magical Arts! As always, please remain seated while our locomotive is in motion. Thank you!"

Beep.

After the announcement, the train whistled again as it started moving forward, slowly going up and up as the train climbed into the clouds.

The nearby ground shook as Elaine watched the train move past her car. After it was gone, she sighed, turning around and heading back home.