Chapter 394: A Misunderstanding

Chapter 394: A Misunderstanding

Tala still felt off, but from what Master Grediv, Mistress Vanga, and another Paragon that Master Grediv had brought in to examine her had said, that was to be expected.

Not that they had experience with someone severing the existence-connection to their own body.

If thats actually what happened.

Tala couldnt quite tell if that is what had caused her current state, or if the murder-eyes attackwhatever it had beenhad caused her current state.

Effectively, if her own defense was at fault, her existence had been altered so that she lacked a body below the bottom of her sternum.

Even so, her genetics and magic had still had the imprint map of her lower body, so it had been rebuilt quite effectively without much difficulty.

She wasnt quite sure how or why the natural magics associated with her lower body had been maintained, but her theorywhich Mistress Vanga and Master Grediv thought was reasonablewas that her natural magics were tied more to her soul than to her body, and her gate hadnt been touched by the existence magics.

She really hoped that it never would be.

Regardless, her body had been regrown, and yet, the result still felt off to her.

Even after being reinscribed within Kit, nothing felt quite right.

Its like picking up a new weapon of a type Im not used to.

-Thats a great analogy!-

I know youre trying to be positive, but this whole situation is rather awful.

-I know-

At the moment, Tala was walking through the Alefast market with Kedva, supervising as the girl continued to get used to her magically enhanced physiology.

This day, specifically, they were having Kedva get used to moving around and acting normally as the power faded, and she slowly moved back to being equivalent to a mundane human.

Test, Tala said calmly at the appropriate interval.

Kedva pulled out a series of needles, moving from the dull equivalent of a thin rod toward a construct needle that would easily pierce even Talas reinforced skin.

They would have used one of Soles needles for the top of the range, but they were just too long for them to be practical to use in that way.

Each of the needles that they did use was mounted in a spring loaded device so that theyd exert the same pressure, almost regardless of how hard the girl pushed.

That was necessary given Kedvas falling strength. Otherwise, it would have been almost impossible to get good results.

With practiced efficiency, Kedva tested down the line on one of her fingers, until she got to a needle that easily pierced her skin.

She told Tala which one worked, but mainly, Kedva was trying to integrate into her own mind how she, herself, felt with the level of enhancement she still had.

The needle test complete, Kedva moved to the next test.

The fifth weight, please. Kedva held out her hand, and Tala formed iron across the girls palm and added weight up to the requested amount.

Kedva moved it around a bit, then sighed.

No, this is too light. The seventh, please.

Tala added more weight, and Kedva moved it about once more, then nodded. This is the right amount.

Tala pulled back the iron and smiled. Alright, then. Last test.

Kedva then colored slightly even as she stepped a few yards away to get a bit of space. She then squatted down before springing upward.

It was a respectable leap, but still within human expectation, even if on the upper end.

She landed, blushing more deeply. Thats embarrassing Couldnt we have done this somewhere more private?

A few people had glanced their way, but no one was staring.

Though, there was a young man who did seem to be paying them a bit more interest than average.

He wasnt focused on Tala, so he likely hadnt recognized her as a defender.

Tala shook her head, her eyes on Kedva. You cant let others watching affect what you are capable of, but regardless, check.

Fine. She glanced at her finger. Needle-prick healed.

Tala nodded, Now, the tests are done. Is anyone staring at you?

Kedva turned to look around, shaking her head. No, I She stopped, frowning. Wait, I think he might be?

As if on cue, Tala felt a bit of magic,that was at once oddly familiar and incredibly hard to sense.

What?

She spun around, wanting to see with her eyes what her threefold sight had already found.

The young-looking man who had been staring at Kedva stood a dozen yards away, hand lifted toward them.

He was an Archon, but only Bound. Even so, as his magic crystalized, Tala took note of what type it was.

Void and kinetic? At the same time?

Tala was thrown off because, more than anything, the working he enacted was like a marriage between part of her magic and part of Ranes. It felt like some of the clashes that they had when sparring, and that caused an odd dissonance within her brain.

That dissonancecoupled with her current physical stateslowed her reactions even as void-black spheres shot across the distance between them, dozens of times faster than an arrow fired from a warbow.

Tala still reacted more than quickly enough to harden her aura around herself, forbidding it from impacting or affecting her.

The issue was that the small ball had actually been targeting Kedva, who was a couple of paces from Tala at the moment.

Rust!

Kedva, to her credit, tried to shift out of the way, but the projectile tracked the minute movement she was able to make before it arrived.

Tala was already reaching after it with her will and aura, aiming to negate any effects that she could, but the void-orb jerked to a stop less than two feet from the girl, seeming to extend its power over Kedva, utterly freezing her in place.

Less than a second after the magic had taken effect, Talas aura crushed the Archons authority over his own working and snuffed the magic out.

In that moment of control before she destroyed it, she got the final pieces to understand.

A void of kinetic energy? Drawing in all such energy from relative movement within a non-centered volume? Is that how void is supposed to work?

-Im Im not sure?-

Would that work to bypass magical defenses?

Maybe, but if nothing else, it was an effective non lethal fight-ender when acting against anyone magically lighter than the Archon who used it.

Speaking of which, the man was striding their way with confident assurance.

He reached into a pocket of his Mages robes, and Tala immediately focused on what he was reaching for, using some of her magical weight to push perception closer to him, through the weak interference of his aura.

Tala huffed a laugh, before barking, Kedva!

The girl froze.

Stop that. It makes you look ridiculous.

Yes, Mistress Tala. Kedva blushed, looking down in obvious embarrassment.

Tala turned back to Master Akra. Shes human, a gateless.

Master Tai scoffed. And Im the Chief defender.

She gave him an incredulous look. You know, thats the exact same snarky example you gave last time.

He shrugged, unapologetic. Im responding to the same ridiculous claim, and it is still just as true.

She sighed, returning her attention to Master Akra. This is going in circles.

Master Akra nodded in agreement. So it seems. Master Tai, why do you believe that this young woman is an arcane?

Shes using magic. You can see it as well as I. Shes almost out now, but its still obvious.

Oh! Tala turned to Kedva. Test.

The girlwho had almost recovered from her most recent embarrassmentcolored, looking at the ring of Archons around them. Now?

Now. We need this datapoint. Hes right, youre almost out.

Carefully, Kedva pulled out the needle apparatus.

Master Tai was obviously suspicious, tensing at the action, but since Master Akra didnt seem to mind, Master Tai didnt say anything further.

Kedva and Tala went through the three simple tests while the Archons watched.

Once the girl had landed from a rather average vertical leap, she gave Tala a questioning look.

Tala nodded and smiled. Good, that should be all we need until you're completely dry.

Yes, Mistress Tala.

Master Akra cleared his throat. Now, care to explain?

Shes using magic that she absorbed.

Like an arcane? The unit leader asked, frowning.

Tala shrugged, Yes.

Ha! Master Tai grinned broadly. See? Shes an arcane.

She sighed. No, shes not. You said like an arcane. Shes a gateless human who is learning to use magic like an arcane would. We have this registered with the city.

Master Akra nodded, pulling out a slate, finding the indicated documentation and reading it to confirm before handing the slate over to Master Tai.

The young Mage Hunter just stared at the construct after reading the document. Well Rust.

Master Akra took the slate back, turning to Kedva. Young lady, while you are not required to carry documentation, it might be prudent to do so for everyones sake. I apologize if this makes you feel singled out. Once again, this is not a requirement, only my personal suggestion.

Kedva bowed deeply. I appreciate the advice, Master Akra. I will consider it.

He nodded. If you choose to go that route, get it certified so that no one thinks you faked it.

Understood.

Master Akra turned back to Tala, bowing. Mistress Tala, a pleasure as always.

She bowed in return. Master Akra. Are we still on for our lesson next week?

Assuming youre up for it, absolutely. Your physical recovery shouldnt interfere with aura training. Even so, let me know if youd like some more time for any reason, even if simply to be with your friend during his recovery. His eyes flicked to Master Tai before he continued, clearly guarding his words. The experience he went through is uniquely difficult. Im sure hell be glad for your presence whenever youre able.

She smiled gratefully. I will let you know, thank you.

After a short exchange with Master Tai, the other Archons departed.

There was a moment of awkward silence before Master Tai bowed to both of the women. My apologies for my mistake, Mistresses.

Tala smiled. Its understandable. I appreciate your vigilance, along with your restraint. It would have been frustrating if youd tried to harm her.

Kedva cleared her throat. Umm I dont think that Im a Mistress?

Tala hesitated. Huh. I think youre right.

Master Tai tilted his head to one side, seeming a bit stressed. What moniker should I use then? I would hate to add unnecessary rudeness to my list of missteps today.

She grinned. I think Elder Kedva would be most correct. She hesitated, then frowned. Or Child? Definitely one of those two.

Kedva grimaced. I do not particularly like either.

Tala laughed. I didnt expect that you would, no.

Master Tai bowed again. Regardless, Mistress Tala, Elder Kedva, my deepest apologies for the misunderstanding.

They both expressed their forgiveness, and the Mage Hunter turned to go.

Kedva clearly didnt care for being called Elder, but she was obviously not about to correct the man.

There really isnt any better title for her that I can think of.

-Yeah, me either.-

Before Master Tai could take more than a couple of steps, however, Tala called out to him, Master Tai?

He hesitated, turning to look back, Mistress?

Would you be willing to discuss your void magic? I have not come across many practitioners of that esoteric branch, and I think that I could learn something from you, but only if you are willing.

His hesitance lasted for only a moment longer before he faced her fully and nodded, I need to finish my shiftIm on duty patrolling this market at the momentbut this evening I am at your disposal.

She grinned widely. Great! Thank you.

They set up a place to meet up, before Tala and Kedva bid him farewell and headed back toward Kit.

Lets get your final readings then fill you back up.

Yes, Mistress Tala. After a block or so of slow progress, Kedva glanced toward Tala. Mistress Tala?

Yes, Kedva?

Thank you. That was rather terrifying. Kedva shuddered, visibly affected by their recent experience.

Tala gave the girl a genuine smile. I am happy to have been able to help.