Originally, this and the next chapter were once one huge chapter. I split them up due to time constants, so that I won't have to rush the chapters. So enjoy.
Days pass, then weeks, then months. Marisa's training continued, as her knowledge increased and her power grew, she quickly grasp the art of rune making, and the basics of magic. Soon, the first of many tests were upon her.
"It's so hot. Can I please take of my hat at the very least?" Marisa tried to act as cute as she can, with big eyes that looked about to cry, hands together in a begging form, and an air of cuteness about her.
Mima gave an energetic answer as she prepared the test. "Sure you can… as soon as you succeed at the test." She swung her arm as she said the last part. Marisa grabbed her hat in fear. "Relax, you do fine" Mima reassured her.
Marisa let out a sigh of relief. "Okay then." As she stood there, waiting for Mima to finish preparations, she began to rock back and forth. Before long, boredom consumed her, causing her to ask "Are you done yet?"
"Well I've been done for a while. I just wanted to see how long it will take you to ask that."
"What, you-"
"Yes I am monster. Thank you. Now let's begin the test." Before Marisa could ask about the first two statements, Mima continued. "May you please list the different rune types?"
"Oh, um. Hum. There's the five elements, the s-"
"Please list each one Marisa."
"Oh, um, there's fire, water, metal, earth, wood, wind, poison, ice, bubbles, burning, plants, weapons, light, dark, restoration, destruction, enchantment, transmutation, protection, communication, summoning, holy, and unholy. Oh and lighting."
"Given how the only types you missed where from the schools of magic that I have yet to teach you, your spot on Marisa. Now, counter all the runes I make." Mima created a fire rune on the floor, causing a ring of fire to form around Mima.
Marisa quickly drew a water rune to create a rain cloud. The rain cloud dosed the fire, revealing Mima with a lighting rune already complete.
Mima put the rune on the cloud, causing it to become a lighting cloud and shoot electricity. Marisa tried to counter by using a wind rune to blow apart the cloud. Mima simply used a wind rune to counter-counter. However, this gave Marisa the room to destroy the water rune, destroying the rain cloud and the lighting rune along with it.
Mima looked surprised for a moment, before forming a smile. She then created three runes with the bases of wood, wind, and fire. Marisa could tell that the rune types where different, and created 3 runes in response.
Mima launched the first run at Marisa, which transformed her into a mouse. This triggered Marisa's first rune, which transformed her back into a human. Both mages activated there second runes at the same time. Mima's enchantment rune enchanted Mima with increase speed, but Marisa's enchantment rune disenchanted Mima with decrease speed.
Marisa activated her darkness rune, hoping to use it to stop Mima's light rune. Mima simply snapped her fingers. The light rune emitted a large flash of light, not only destroying the darkness, but also getting rid of all the other runes in effect. It also temporality blinded Marisa.
When the light had faded enough to let Marisa see again, she saw Mima almost done with a massive and powerful light rune. Thinking fast, she used a fire rune to launch a fire ball at Mima. Not noticing in tell it was too late, Mima was hit by the fire ball. This not only caused the rune to dispel, but also knocked Mima back onto the floor. "Nonononono what did I do. Mima is going to kill me when she gets up!"
"Marisa." Marisa looked back to see Mima getting up. She floated towards Marisa with a blank stare. When she got to Marisa, she put her hands on Marisa's solders and gave a massive smile. "Ahaha. I did not expect that I would have had that big of an impact on you so quickly."
Marisa was a bit surprised at Mima's reaction. "What?"
"I never expected you to dispel your own rune to stop mine. You using an enchantment to counter act my enchantment is an interesting idea. And you attacking me to stop me from using my rune. Well I should have been paying attention, and I really should have not underestimated you. Congratulations, you passed the test with flying colors.
Marisa quickly threw her hat on the ground and hugged Mima. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Mima hugged back in turn. "Thank yourself. Anyways, you should wash up while I make dinner."
Marisa jumped up to her seat at the dining table. Mima had just finish putting the soup in the bowls, and had sat down at the table as well. "Mushroom soup! My favorite." Marisa began to wolf it down as Mima took her time.
"So Marisa. I think that you are ready to start learning how to cast spells."
Marisa looked up with her mouth full. "Grolly?"
"Don't talk with your mouth full, and yes really. While you're not done with learning runes, we can now start spacing them out, and you know the basics of magic. I can start teaching you how to create spells, how to use my shadow clones and stardust reverie, and even how to fly."
Marisa quickly swallowed her food. "Thanks Mima… I mean master!"
"Hmhmhm. Don't worry about it. You can call me Mima while we are alone or not studying magic. When we are, you still have to call me master. Anyhow, don't think learning magic will be easy. What with learning about spells, learning how to cast spells, and increasing how much magic you can store so you can cast the spell, It will take years for you to be a competent mage, even with your ability."
The two of them were in silence as they ate there foods, in tell Mima deceived to speak again. That being said, Marisa, I will have some guests over tomorrow. With your skills with runes, I will allow you to play outside tomorrow."
Marisa, who had just finished her bowl, swallowed. "Thank you. I promise that I will study hard and become a great mage in no time. Also can I have another bowl."
"We will see" Mima grabbed Marisa's bowl and went over to the pot. "We will see."