Chapter 95 - Freedom

"That was excellent progress." Qamra said to Zell, giving him a round of applause. "It's nighttime so why don't we call it a day."

"I would rather keep training if that is alright with you." Zell said. "The faster I learn this the faster we get out."

"After all that casting do you not have low mana?" Qamra asked.

"No, remember I have a vast, nearly infinite mana pool." Zell replied. "One of the benefits of being level two million."

"Right, you did say that." Qamra said. "Still, I need to rest, watching you practice all day has worn me out. You have come leaps and bounds in your magical control and visualizations. It is very impressive for a human."

"Thanks." Zell replied. "You can go on to bed if you want, I am going to continue practicing. For creation magic do I just need to incorporate it into the light ball? If so, I think I can manage that on my own."

"That is pretty much the gist of creating a barrier spell." Qamra said. "Although healing and creation spells are different and far more difficult to produce."

"I understand." Zell said. "MY focus right now is barriers, so I will continue on with my lessons. Have a good night."

"Good night then." Qamra said, worried Zell might overexert himself. She went down into her home, took off her clothes and went to sleep in her bed.

"Alright, focus Zell." He said to himself. He recreated a light ball only this time he used the magic of creation and mixed them in with the photons. IT created a solid black ball that emitted white light. "Alright now I need to shape it and weave it." Zell focused on all the lessons he had been taught earlier that day and worked the light ball into multiple shapes. Finally, he got enough of a feel for it that he could weave layers together creating a tiny barrier ball.

He smiled with joy at his success. Dispelling the barrier he created, he walked over to the tree line, where the barrier that held them was. He reached out his hand and placed it on the barrier. He could feel its magic and now that he understood the way barriers worked, he knew how to open it.

The barrier was an extremely tight woven basket and was far exceeding Zell's skill level. However, Zell theorized that if he just inserted a thread of creation magic between the weave and slowly expanded it, he could create an opening.

He closed his eyes and focused on creating the image in his mind. The weave was microscopically close and creating a thread thin enough to pass through was a challenge. Zell tried for hours, burning his mana as he tried over and over to slip a thread through the gap.

He was about to give up for the night when he felt it. One of his attempts was successful. His face lit up with excitement and any signs of fatigue faded from his body. "Yes!" He screamed out of unbridled joy and excitement. "Okay, focus on that thread." He said softly to himself. He slowly poured his mana into the thread to pull in more creation magic. He was slowly expanding it, and as he did a hole in the barrier began to appear.

Forcefully moving the tightly woven threads was having a devastating effect on the barrier as a whole. With little space for the woven strands to move to they began to compile atop of one another. This caused the barrier to wave and buckle. Cracks began to form, originating from Zell's thread.

The more Zell pushed and the wider he made the hole; the more stress was placed on the failing barrier. After just a few minutes of pushing the barrier shattered and turned to sparkling light that ascended to the sky. A sudden breeze rushed by filling the void felt by the barrier and the sounds of the jungle returned.

Zell could hear insects and animals through the trees. It seemed that whatever force was separating them from this jungle was lifted.

Zell could not help himself but to shed a tear of accomplishment. He had learned many new magics, but Qamra had taught him how to control it. He felt like he could use the lessons of mana control she taught him and apply it to his other spells. The joy of not being afraid to use his magic filled his mind.

Now that he was free thoughts, he had placed in the back of his mind returned. Was Qamra lying? Was Sid? Was he only being used by the dragons as the gods tried to use him? He had so many questions. The only thing he was sure of was that he should think about his actions carefully and not trust anyone.

"Maybe I should give up on the dragons." He said thinking aloud.

"Give up on the dragons?" Qamra said from behind him. The noise of the barrier shattering had awoken her from her slumber. She had worried about Zell and rushed outside.

Zell turned to talk to her to find her without clothing again. "Why are you naked?!" He asked quickly.

"I always sleep naked." Qamra said. "Feels much better to not be restricted by clothes. I slept next to you like this while you were unconscious, and you never complained once. More importantly, what do you mean you want to give up on the dragons?"

"I just don't know who to believe or trust." Zell said. "What is this ritual Sid spoke of, why does it need a white dragon? I didn't ask those questions; I just blindly followed his suggestions. Also, Sunea wanted me to tell her and the other elders where to find the rest of the white dragons. I don't know what they have planned. I had hoped to sway them with words but knowing what I know now I doubt that is possible."

"So, you finally started to think for yourself?" Qamra said.. "I am so proud."