Turns out, Treevus was supposed to meet with us at a later time since we're the special class, but he didn't tell any of us that so he didn't get any of us in trouble for it or anything like that. He seems to think it was for the best since he can be known to ramble. Either way, it was a fun first day and it relieved a lot of stress from all of us.
The first week or so was rather slow for everyone. All of the instructors were getting their curriculums in sync so that everyone was in relatively the same place. Of course we're not going to be held to that exact same standard, but we aren't supposed to overshadow the other classes either.
As for right now, everything is moving along smoothly. We've been studying the advanced spells for various elements. Spyro and Cynder are liking learning all the different things that their elements can do. To them, it feels like a new adventure.
As for Lumus, she's learned how to use her element in record time. She mostly likes making light shows and optical illusions. She doesn't care for the destruction her element can cause. It's not bad that she avoids using her abilities like that, but there may come a time where she may need them. I don't want her to not know how to use them at all. So I cheated, I had her use her "destructive" power to create instead. I showed her that if she focused the light in different ways that she could burn patterns into wood or make different kinds of glass from sand and other such creative deals like that. It made me feel better at least that she now knows how to create a powerful enough light that can cause damage.
As for me…. I don't know where to begin! Treevus basically handed us his curriculum and told us to have at it. He would be there watching over our shoulders giving help where it was needed, but for the most part, if we stayed on pace we could do as we pleased. So I jumped right in. It's been a week and a half and I'm already a month in. Treevus keeps throwing tests at me to see if I'm just BSing the work, but I've passed every single one so far. I've always loved to read and now that I get to nerd out on magic too. I've just been going ham. There is so much that you can do with magic here. Dragons before me have been contributing to the ever growing list of things that magic can do and I want to learn all of it. Then I want to see what I can contribute. I want to create something so cool that it'll never be forgotten.
"Ehmhh" Treevus clears his throat behind me, "what's the fastest way to gather the energy for a 3rd tier spell?"
"According to the books or by my experience?"
"Both."
"By the book, the fastest way is to channel energy directly from a strong emotion into the spell, but from my experience, the more control you have on your energy output, the faster you can charge the spell. However, in both cases you risk overloading the spell and causing a different one to manifest or cause a backfire of some kind. the later of which is less common, but extremely destructive and harmful to the user and those around them."
"Very good. Just one problem."
"What I miss? Is there a special interaction that 3rd tier spells have?"
"No no no, you were 100% right. You're just too far ahead. So, I'll be assigning you as a tutor and I'll see if I can track down some other material that isn't in the curriculum for the next 6 years." Treevus leans closer to me to whisper, "so have you told Lumus about your ability to use multiple elements yet?"
"No I haven't, I don't want to freak her out. I'll work on it though, she's not stupid so she'd find out eventually so I'd rather tell her rather than have her find out on her own."
"Very good, I was about to recommend that very thing. I'm glad you're not oblivious to what's in front of you."
That's another thing I need to do now too. It's fine, I'll tell her before the first quarter combat competition.
That reminds me, I need to train for that. I've been so busy studying, gardening and hanging out with my friends, that I haven't really been actively training for it.
"Hay guys? You"ll want to start doing training sessions during the week?"
Cynder raises an eyebrow, "whatever for?"
"The quarterly competition is coming up soon."
Spyro pauses for a second, "Huh, he's right, that is soon isn't it."
Lumus shakes her head a bit in disappointment, "it's in a month, but I don't want to participate."
I give her a confused look, "how come? It's a good way to learn your element. Besides, I've heard that a lot of people have been struck by inspiration during their battles."
"That's true, but I really don't want to hurt any one." She says downcast
Treevus suddenly snaps his claw, "I knew I was forgetting to tell you something! We have a work around for that. Here" he hands us all amulets matching our colors.
Spyro looks at it in shock, "aren't these the stamina amulets that me and Cynder used during the war?!"
"Why yes they are. We decided to repurpose them for the area so that no one actually got hurt and we could use it as a way to confirm a knockout."
I ponder that for a second, "Stamina amulets? I've never heard of them"
"Oh?! Something you don't know. Now I can finally teach you something. Anyway, these were used during the war to help save lives. It prevented any serious harm from occurring to its wearer. However, it drains the physical energy of its wearer every time it blocks a hit until they are rendered unconscious. At which point they are left to the mercy of their attackers."
"That's perfect for this them! That means you can participate Lumus! Since all you would be doing is making them tired!"
She laughs a bit at my excitement, "I guess I can give it a try then. I still don't like the idea of attacking others though."
So we set up a twice weekly practice together at the temple. We've had two so far and we've all been just keeping in shape mostly. However, Lumus was struggling a bit and I'm trying my best to help her without revealing my powers.
"Agh! Damn it! Why can't I get this damn move down!"
"It's ok Lumus, light is just one of the harder elements to control. You can do it." I reassured.
"No I can't…. I'm not special like you or Spyro and Cynder…"
I hate when people talk like that. It always pisses me off! "Yes you are special damnit! Who ever tells you otherwise is not worth the ground they walk on! Everyone's lives are special in their own special way. No one is more valuable than another."
I hated that in my past. My friends would put themselves down because of whatever reason and I hated it. It made me feel inadequate as a friend and it scared the crap out of me. I didn't want to see another friend suicide. I wouldn't be able to handle it.
Lumus looked a little downcast after my outburst. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, "I'm sorry Lumus. That's just a really big pet peeve of mine"
"No. It's fine. I appreciate it actually. I don't usually have people sticking up for me. I just can't seem to do it. While Spyro and Cynder are already almost masters and you're well on your way. I feel inadequate and I hate it."
"It's nothing you're doing Lumus. They went through a war, they had to learn fast or die. You were lucky to escape that fate. Plus, if you think about it, they had teachers. You don't have that since there have never been two light dragons existing at the same time. So I think you're above the curve, all things considered."
She cracks a smile, "your right and besides, I won't get anywhere if I'm down on myself. I just wish there was someone to teach me or at the very least train with me so I don't feel so… ya know so.."
"Different?, alone?, afraid?"
"Heh, ya that…"
I look around. There are still some people here in the room.
"Hay, come with me real quick." I gesture toward the door.
I led her out of the training room intent on helping her.
Meanwhile, Spyro and Cynder gossip during their exercise.
"Hay Spyro, where do you think those two are going?"
"I don't know, maybe they needed to go outside for more room for a spell?"
"Maybe… or maybe they went outside to make out!"
"I doubt that Cynder. He doesn't seem to be into that kinda stuff. I've seen a couple of girls now that have flirted with him and he's turned them down."
"So he's either gay or is already in a relationship."
"Well he's with us most of the time and the rest of it he spends hiding in his garden. So I doubt he's in a relationship, unless we're oblivious."
"Well, don't let him seduce you then."
Spyro gets a mischievous look on his face "You sound threatened, do you think he's hot?"
Cynder gawks at him, "no, I'm just worried you do and try and do some weird shit later"
"Oh goodness no, I'm not into that kinda thing."
"Good"
I open the double doors to my garden and lead Lumus to the far side.
"Ok, I wanted to save this for later, but you need help now." I turn to face her with a serious look on my face.
She holds a paw up, "I'm gonna just stop you right there. I don't want to be in a relationship right now, you're a nice guy don't get me wrong, but I just don't want to date anyone."
I raise an eyebrow, "uh, ok. That's not what I brought you here for, but good to know I guess." She gets visibly uncomfortable, "anyway, what I'm about to show you has to stay a secret ok?" I stare at her till she answers.
"O..k… what is it?"
"Well… I'm not actually a hybrid dragon. That's just the story that the guardians came up with. I actually have a lot more at my disposal."
She gets a little starry eyed, "no way, show me!"
"Ok ok, I'm glad you're taking this ok."
"Are you kidding? this is so cool! Now do something! I wanna see!"
I shake my head and chuckle a bit. "Ok, stand back a little bit."
We both take a few steps back from each other. I take a second to think about what I want to do…. I think I got it. I take a moment to make sure I'm ready and I'm collected. Then I go for it.
I decided to use the first multi element spell I ever used. The spell of my own creation. Except this time, it was better. All of the elements were more vibrant and way more prevalent. I got the ice to form into different figures, the earth was similar, except the nature element was with it and grew snippets of different plants I had in my garden from various flowers to ivys. Fire and electricity were both dancing around with energy. The wind was light and calming, and the shadow was moving the other elements around and making it an arrangement. The fear element inverted and made a warm feeling in both of us and the poison did it's multi spectral color droplets again. And when everything had settled, I added one more thing, light. The ice sparkled the multi colored drops shown color everywhere and the plants all grew a bit more vibrant. It was the most magical looking thing I could pull off and it was worth it.
Lumus was standing there slack jawed staring at it all.
I waved my hand in front of her…. nothing.
I tapped her on the shoulder…. still nothing
I shook her a bit…….again…...nothing.
I booped her on the nose… she blinked. Whew, at least I know she's still alive.
She blinked a few more times, "how did you do that? It was so cool! How long can you hold this here!?!"
Before she could get anymore into her fangirling I cut her off, "just enjoy it, I can hold it for a while, but I would rather you save the questions for a little later."
She just silently nods her head and continues to walk around staring at everything. I had to stop her from touching a couple of the droplets that were poisonous. Other than that I stood in the center of my temporary creation and let her soak it all in. It felt nice to use my power like this again. I wish I could do this more often.
I've been holding this together for half an hour now. Using ten elements at the same time is literally ten times as draining as normal. I sat down in the grass to keep myself comfortable and to hold this for as long as possible. It's getting increasingly more difficult though. Lumus started asking me to make changes and to add snow so she could make some stuff too. With how interactive she was making me get with the elements I was draining faster than I thought I would. I already hit my halfway point and now she's wanting me to expand the area and add some more.
"You know, I may have a ton of energy to work with, but you're gonna make me push my limits here in the next 20 minutes or so and then i'll have to drain from my tree."
"Oh, sorry…. go ahead and stop then, but don't think you can get away with never showing me that again"
"You can count on it. Anyway, what I wanted you to see was that I can use the light element too. Now we can practice together, but it has to be in secret ok."
She jumped at me and gave me a hug. "Thank you. Thank you for telling me. For trusting me. And for giving me a friend…"
"You're more than welcome."
