Chapter 19: Departing

Chapter 19: Departing

Kiara gave a lecture about why young mages were advised never to try Coercion without appropriate training. She had barely started training in coercion this year and still had a long way to go herself. Warden left the blonde girl to instruct how to proceed with the training regime. Although he didn't remember the correct way, his guesses seemed to align well with Kiara's experience.

Basically, it was willpower training through casting, starting with a small, powerless spell that couldn't hurt you too badly, even if it burst prematurely. Casters were to hold on to them for an impossible amount of time as their willpower grew thin. With this constant strain on their spirit, their willpower would grow astronomically, as well as their control over the energy.

"Another aspect to consider is thinking about the things you're envisioning while drawing energy," Warden said. "Try imagining something far more devastating. Instead of a slow stream, picture a great waterfall, for example."

Warden was pretty sure he was missing a crucial part, perhaps more than just one part, but he didn't have a clue what they could be. He would need some hints on that memory lane for sure.

"But I have never seen a waterfall," Onia said.

Warden almost facepalmed but controlled himself in time. "I guess you have to leave it to your imagination."

Of course, there was another way. Onia could envision her experience of drawing to have a stronger feel of water, but he couldn't be merciless to the little girl.

Warden directed her in casting for a few minutes as Onia manipulated the water into a different shape. The condensation didn't come easily, as the theory went. It needed months of training and perseverance, and the girl was already exhausted.

They were just about to call it a day when Xiv came along. From the way he dressed up, it didn't seem like he had been sleeping but on the watch for a potential attack on the village. He seemed even aware that the two girls were practising out in the open in the middle of the night.

"You guys done for the night?" Xiv asked, easily finding signs of exhaustion from the girl.

With that, Liam handed her a small pouch with the beast cores. "He said this will keep her fed for the journey. He hunted them on the watch."

Kiara frowned but took the pouch as many thoughts came to her mind. Liam climbed up on his horse and urged her to come along.

"Give me a couple of minutes," she said and went to Onia, one of the dozen who came to watch them leave. She caught the young girl's hand. "Have you thought about what I told you last night?"

What Kiara had told her last night was mostly related to spellcasting and adventurers, but she also mentioned the Arcane Academies and how Onia could admit to one. Even though Water didn't have much prospect as a battle mage, she could easily join the academy for the auxiliary classes with one of the main apertures unlocked.

"I..." Onia clearly didn't have words for what to say. "I was fast asleep last night and forgot to think about it."

Kiara's lips parted into a smile. "Well, even if you said yes, it would have been tough to bring you along this time," she said, patting the girl's shoulder. "Perhaps we'll be back in some time, or you have to wait for any recruiters from the academy to come along. I'll leave a word to the Ninth Academy of your talent. Perhaps they'd be interested."

Like before, Onia had no idea what to say to that. In the end, she offered a "Thank you."

"I should be the one to say thank you," Kiara said with a sigh. They had been here for about a week, and Onia was the only one she talked to for almost everything. If not for the young girl, her livelihood in the village would have been horrendous.

"Miss Kiara," Liam yelled after her, getting impatient.

"Perhaps we meet again, perhaps never." Kiara hugged her lightly. "Whatever you decide, I hope you live well."

With that, Kiara left the village, riding on horseback towards the nearest town eastwards.