Fists and Fortune 14 – Novas and Lances

Aclysia was on her way to the grey monastery.

Thoroughly, she loathed that place. Yes, one should not substitute their service to the divine ideals by material displays. However, to take such a cynical stance to deny a religious building any sort of beauty was a disgrace in a whole different way. It was also a disgrace that entirely fit her teacher, the faithless Priest Pronthin.

For all of the issues that Aclysia took with him and his lifestyle, she could not critique his teaching. Certainly, she had hoped for a new Spell to join her current arsenal. That hope still stood strong. Spells were fundamentally more malleable. Supernatural effects conjured outside the body had more space to unfold themselves in various interesting ways. For that same reason, getting new Spells was often a matter of using what was already present in more creative ways. For a mage, the boundaries of the mind and the quantity of mana outlined the borders of their abilities.

To learn entirely new spellcraft was a rare matter. Aclysia could already do the two primary things her Class was concerned with: to heal and to deal damage using the power of the summer season. To acquire new Spells was to either revolutionize the way she did this or to learn about the Spells of another Class.

Pronthin had been teaching her valuable lessons so far, even if there was nothing revolutionary or new about them. Constantly expanding her mana supply and magical power was necessary to empower her fundamental function in the group. Training on how to sense and utilize the leylines to Smite was also of incredible importance. That was her only way to heal at range, at the moment. Lastly, she had been focusing on her theological meditations, to enter the state of mind required for a Miracle.

This constant increase of her mental and magical fitness served as its own sort of magical training. It was much easier to use the Bolt Spell in different ways now, just as it became easier to use the Ray at different lengths and intensities. Understanding of divinity had returned some of the connection to her angelic nature, be it that there was still a notable wall. Hashahin’s barrier, to prevent her from claiming the authority of a true divine messenger.

All in all, Aclysia was not expecting to learn a different Spell anytime soon. She had been promised only one and certainly she was not yet worthy of it.

“You’re worthy of it,” Pronthin told Aclysia and Mehily.

Aclysia blinked several times. ‘Life has a tendency to surprise me,’ she contemplated. “Are you certain, teacher?”

“I don’t do things I’ve not decided myself,” the faithless Priest responded, his tone as lethargic as ever. “I told you that there was one Spell I wanted to show the two of you, but you have both exceeded my expectations in terms of growth. Consequently, I can show you two Spells today and you should be able to master both before we’re done.”

“We have exceeded your expectations?” Mehily shifted her weight from one foot to the other. That her sight had been replaced with something different was barely apparent now. Every step she took, every move of her head, was back to the smoothness that a normal functioning person exhibited and rarely appreciated about themselves. Having known the dark, the blonde would never consider being thankless for the miracle of sight ever again.

“Yes.” Pronthin barely reacted to the deference of his pupils. Both were in opposition to his cynicism, yet both still held him in high regard when it came to his practical teachings. For better and for worse, the mindset of Priests was often hierarchical. “First, let me explain what Spells I have selected for you to learn. There’re not many, I, personally, can teach you. My path of following the will of the Omniverse has obviously diverged from yours and so I am incapable of the many feats that accordance with the four seasons can bring. Simultaneously, I am too weak to wield the Arclight of the season of magic.”

“It is not too late to-“

With a bored wave, Pronthin interrupted the angel, “Spare me the worry, Aclysia, and listen. I selected these Spells for you specifically. Mehily can learn from whomever she wants once she returns to the Church. First, the Spell I originally wanted you to learn. Observe.”

Pronthin took two steps towards his pupils. His skin began to glow with the pale, greyish light of the Faithless. The channelled energy then burst off him in a nova of divine force, washing over Aclysia and Mehily. Both of them took steps backwards, but that was merely out of reflex. The energy washed over them with an inoffensive cold, leaving them feeling refreshed and able to face the day.

“This is the Healing Nova.” The last vestiges of the energy dispersed, as he talked. “It is a massive gathering of healing energy, released in a burst, allowing you not only to heal multiple people at once, but also at a decent range. In due time, you may be able to launch it in a specific direction or even as a concentrated projectile. Such mastery, however, is beyond the scope of this training and your current capacity. Advantages of this spell are apparent. The disadvantages are the extreme mana cost and, almost more importantly, that you cannot distinguish between friend or foe with this Spell. Not without an Art, anyway.”

“So, it is an emergency Spell to ensure the survival of party members?” Aclysia asked.

“For the most part. It can also be used to reset a fight, effectively. However, do not expect to partake in the engagement after you have used this spell. It will, almost certainly, overcharge your mana circuits for a few minutes. At higher levels, this may change, depending on your training. Do you know why I want you to learn this?”

The question was only pointed at Aclysia, since Mehily was there by happenstance more than anything else. A number of theories popped into her mind immediately and Aclysia spent several seconds reviewing and then sorting them. “It must be so I can be of use in the upcoming confrontation against the Deathhound,” she presented her theory. “It is unlikely that I would be able to conjure a Spell that exceeds the sturdiness of the demon’s hide and its speed simultaneously. I can, however, attempt to save lives.”

“Correct. Beyond that, there is a factor I did not mention.” Pronthin gestured to the sky, his finger pointing out the path of a leyline. “Divine magic, in all its forms, is an embodiment of the proper order of the Omniverse. While it may be healing to all those within it, it is poison to those who are not in their proper place or outside it. Parasytes suffer immensely from these attacks. Much as they hate this, demons, who are warped by the influence of the outside void, also suffer when blasted by raw healing energy. Demons that are summoned from their place in the Hellroots further experience a weakening of their bonds.”

“In summary, it can be cast within the combat against the Deathhound without any adverse effects,” Aclysia stated.

“Precisely.” Pronthin rolled his shoulders. “Your current magical power will not suffice to seriously harm the Deathhound nor to restore a notable amount of the vitality of those who will face the Deathhound head-on – but it can make a difference. In the threat you brought here, any small differences count.”

“With all due respect, teacher, she did not intend to bring danger to this world she…” Mehily trailed off when Pronthin gave her a tired stare. The grey of his eyes was only further reinforced by the bags under them.

“I am observing factual reality, not ascribing any intent. Let’s stay focused,” Pronthin gestured at his chest. “The Healing Nova is fundamentally simple, but requires immense mana reserves. Hence, why we will only start practicing it today and why I will first show you the second Spell. You may very well collapse after your first usage.”

Aclysia did not look forward to that. There was no gain without pain though, so the collapse was a consequence she was willing to take. “Please show us, teacher,” she requested, with a diligent bow.

“The second Spell is a new variety of magical attack. You know Bolt and Ray, a burst and a sustained release of mana, the typical manifestations that all mages are capable of. What I will show you now is a third variety of common spellcraft.” Pronthin showed them his palm. “Most spells are launched from the open hand. It is the easiest place to gather large amounts of magical energy and to aim with. This,” he made a hollow fist, “is therefore a terrible idea for novices. It’s asking for a magical misfire or for your fingers to be blown off by your own spell.”

Aclysia could feel it before she could see it. A stream of divine energy, gathering and then extending to both sides of the teacher’s hand. Then, the critical mass of mana was reached. A flare of grey, pale light ignited and created a thin rod of raw divine energy, about a metre from one tip to the other. The rod grew longer with each passing moment, the ends thinner, until it looked like a proper lance with two sharp tips. Energy visibly swirled over the surface, spiralling from where the hand was conjuring/holding the weapon towards the endpoints.

Pronthin turned towards the many targets put up in the courtyard and aimed at one of them. He launched the lance, throwing it as one would a javelin. It slammed into the target, one increment removed from the bullseye, penetrating deep into the straw, before exploding in a wave of divine light.

“This is the Lance variety of Spells,” Pronthin explained, his hand once more forming the hollow fist. “You use your fingers to create a cage for the mana, forcing it to exit to the sides. At the same time, you manipulate the flow of mana into a spiral shape.” A new Lance ignited and slowly grew in length. “Done properly, the whirl of mana clashes with itself, creating a maximum extent the Spell can grow. The energy stays confined in the vortex, eventually igniting and unleashing destructive capability. Given time to charge, it grows more powerful. Hold onto it for too long, however…”

Pronthin kept his fist as it was and the pale light continued to grow in intensity. After twenty seconds, the spiralling surface showed signs of destabilization. Arcs of greyish lightning crackled along the surface, bouncing through the air or Pronthin’s skin. It got worse and worse, with every passing moment, until it was apparent the Lance would explode in his hand.

At the last moment, Pronthin turned to the sky and let the Lance loose. The act of throwing was little more than a guiding effort. Acceleration almost entirely stemmed from the magic energy inside. Dozens of metres in the air, the Lance burst into a crackle and a shockwave of divine energy.

“Lance Spells are notable for their destructive capability and the efficient use they make of mana,” Pronthin told them. “None of what you pour in is wasted. As you can see, preparing them is also quite obvious and to shape them is a matter of Skill that not everyone can attain. Most spellcasters make the decision whether they want to specialize in the slow and efficient Lances or the fast and reliable Bolts. In any case, you should know both. Especially you, Aclysia.”

The Guardian Angel gave her teacher a confounded look. “I take it as paramount to have a versatile set of healing Spells, rather than learn offensive options.”

“For most groups, that is the correct thought to have. Unluckily for you, your group consists of a Monk, a Warrior, a Rogue, and a Priest. Not only are you the only spellcaster in your group, you are the only proper ranged combatant in your group.” Pronthin shrugged. “Personally, I recommend you rectify that mistake. Have Reysha take up a crossbow or have your Warrior follow the path of a Paladin to have a secondary healer. Not that it ultimately is my problem.”

“Is our group composition so detrimental as to be dangerous?” This had entered Aclysia’s mind before and it had certainly led to some issues in their battle formation that would only be exacerbated now that Korith was around. Tight corridors were the death of any party that had a broad frontline.

“In economics and group formations the same principle applies: there are no solutions, only trade-offs.” Pronthin shrugged, then yawned. “Your party composition isn’t the worst, but you will struggle with certain issues. All parties struggle with certain issues. These were just recommendations for optimization. A worry that you can take care of another time. Now, we will start with the Nova training.”