From Real to Realm

The room wasn’t all that different from the first time she visited. The main difference was the bracing used for the solid orb of eerienite. Last time, it was designed to be more of a stand for the orb. Now, however, the bracing went from floor to ceiling.

“I can see you changed the bracing.”

Theoden nodded. “It was necessary after the backlash.”

Lynesia stepped to the side after giving Val’s hand a soft squeeze.

“I don’t remember much from my first test.”

He chuckled softly. “To be expected. I was told you hit the wall with considerable force.”

Val shrugged. “I definitely blacked out for a bit.”

He stood next to the orb with his hands still behind his back. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Her heart was already racing, but now it was even worse.

Alright, let’s not fuck this up, please?

Lynesia stood to the side. She looked just as on edge as Val did.

Val slowly placed her hands against the orb. It was smooth and cool to the touch, just like she remembered. She closed her eyes, turning her head away, waiting for the backlash again.

“Excellent,” Theoden said, taking a step back. “It looks to be working this time.”

Val opened her eyes, surprised at the soft glow coming from within the orb. “Now what?”

“Give it a moment to manifest,” Lynesia said from the side, smiling. “It’ll show you what your affinity is.”

Val turned back to the orb just in time. Stone was beginning to sprout from the surface of the orb. It reminded her of the desert with how broken and dry it was. That wasn’t it, though. Suddenly, a gust whipped around the room.

“Dual affinity?” Theoden asked, eyebrow raised.

Plip. Plip. Plip.

Small droplets of water started beading at the top of the orb. Then they’d slowly roll around the stone protrusions before landing on the floor beneath them.

“Water as well. Not as pronounced as Earth and Wind, but still—“

He was cut off by a small flame licking up the back of the orb. It wasn’t much larger than a few candles bundled together, but it was there.

“All four elements?” Lynesia asked, jaw agape.

Val was about to pull away, but something deep inside her urged her to keep her hands where they were. She closed her eyes, confused by the gut feeling.

Theoden stepped closer to the orb, leaning in to look more closely. “I can explain the elements. Earth and Wind are your strongest. Water and Fire are minimal, but still present.” He adjusted his glasses. “But this golden webbing. It’s not something I’ve seen before.”

Val opened her eyes, confused by what he was talking about. Beneath every element that had manifested were small threads of gold. They threaded through every element that had manifested, each strand leading back to where her hands touched the orb.

Her stomach dropped, worry quickly creeping in. “Is something wrong with my mana?”

He shook his head. “I don’t believe so. However, this golden threading is new. It isn’t your mana. It’s not a separate affinity, but something beneath them.”

Lynesia’s smile had faded. Unlike Theoden, she wasn’t looking at the orb anymore. She was looking at Val.

Theoden stood. “I can’t quite put my finger on the golden threads. However, I would like to congratulate you on a successful affinity test. Having the ability to call on all four major elements is impressive, but that does not mean you’ll have an easy time making use of them.”

Val gently pulled her hands away, a lingering warmth left behind. “I’ll train just like I did with my halberd.”

He led them to the same door they entered. “I have no doubt you’ll learn how to use them in time. Might I suggest finding someone to guide your hand?”

Lynesia’s hand slid into Val’s. “I might be able to help?”

The three of them walked back into the back hallway.

“I’d recommend finding someone capable of using the same element you want to train,” he said, hands returning to behind him. “Your magic is unique, Miss Khano. It is what we would consider archmagic. Instead of manifesting as a specific element, you’re able to manifest mana into a solid, yet transparent, barrier.”

“So I wouldn’t be able to help?”

Theoden shook his head. “I didn’t say that. You could teach Miss Strouss how to manifest her magic. However, learning how to control each element properly would be better with someone sharing said element.”

Val leaned in and whispered to Lynesia. “No one in our party uses the four elements.”

She nodded, tapping her chin. “We’ll have to find someone willing to teach you.”

Soon, the three of them were standing at the door to the lobby.

“I will make sure your file is updated to reflect your official test,” he said, gently opening the door for them. “As for those golden threads… I will consult our archives and see what I can dig up.”

Val was pretty confident she knew what it was, but didn’t know how to throw him off the trail right now. “Thank you for letting me test my affinity again.”

He nodded. “Of course. I look forward to seeing you grow further.”

Click.

As soon as the door shut, Lynesia started poking Val in the side.

Val giggled as she fought off the poking. “What? I didn’t do anything!”

Lynesia relented, flaring her nostrils. “The fucking guildmaster is keeping tabs on you! You realize that, right?”

“Yes, I realize that.”

Suddenly, Val’s vision went blurry.

“W—what the fuck?”

Her knees buckled for a second before she caught herself. Lynesia had also slipped beneath her shoulder, holding her up.

“Val, what’s wrong?”

She took a moment to shake her head. “I don’t know. I got lightheaded all of a sudden.”

Lynesia immediately placed her hand against Val’s forehead. “Maybe you used too much mana during the test. You’re not used to doing it. It can be draining when you do it the first few times.”

It was an easy answer, one Val was ready to accept. However, deep down, she knew better. “That must be it then.”

Once she was steady, Val forced the incident from her thoughts. “Why don’t we get everyone together for dinner?”

Lynesia sighed. “Who’s fronting the bill?”

Val thought for a second. “Well, I promised to visit my parents after we beat the Ashen King.”

“You’re going to give your mother that much cooking to do? Really?”

Val scoffed. “You know as well as I do, she’d love the company and to finally meet everyone.”

Lynesia let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. If she asks, I’m telling her it was all your idea, though.”

After everything they’d been through as a party, it was nice to kick back every once in a while.

“We need to grab some supplies before heading over. I don’t want to force them to feed us for free.”

Lynesia spun around in front of Val as they walked. “How about we get the girls first, then get the food?”

Val smiled. “Not a bad idea. More hands to carry everything would be helpful.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get the girls together.” Lynesia grabbed Val’s hand and pulled her close. “I’m excited already.”

Together, they made their way to each girl’s place. Amarisse was on board as soon as she heard free meal and booze. Mina, on the other hand, was just excited to get to spend time with the rest of the group. Cera turned out to be the hardest one to convince. While not exactly opposed, she felt shy about meeting Val’s parents.

“I don't know," she said, looking at the ground. "What if I drink too much and embarrass myself?"

Val chuckled. “I promise we can convince someone to cut you off when you reach your limit.”

Amarisse wrapped her arm around Cera, pulling her in. “Come on, we all need a night to let loose like this.”

Cera looked between them. “Alright,” she said, sighing. “Let me get dressed.”

It didn’t take her long to open her door again after slipping inside to change clothes.

“Alright, now we need to grab a few things. I want to pay for the ingredients for tonight’s feast,” Val said, pulling out a small list. “If there’s anything you’d like to suggest, just let me know, and we can grab it.”

“Wouldn’t it be fair for all of us to pitch in?” Mina asked, her tail swishing curiously.

Amarisse nodded. “I agree, we’re all enjoying tonight, so we should share the cost.”

Val immediately held her hand up. “Absolutely not. I have plenty of coin to cover the cost, and as the party leader, I want to handle it. No arguing.”

A few of the girls looked like they wanted to argue, but seemed to know better. At the very least, they knew Val was too hard-headed to back down right now.

“Alright, let’s go,” Val said, turning around and walking ahead. “I’ll need your help carrying things.”

Amarisse chuckled, flexing a little. “Carrying groceries? That’s all you want us to do?”

Mina bounced on her tiptoes. “I can’t carry as much as Amarisse, but I’ll carry as much as I can!”

“Just let me know what I can help with,” Cera said, walking in the middle of the group.

Val was about to say something when a small pain bloomed in her chest. It wasn’t enough to make her double over, but it throbbed in rhythm with her heartbeat. Sweat beaded on her forehead as the pain refused to go away for more than a handful of seconds. When it finally did, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

“Let’s make tonight a night we never forget!” she yelled, smiling big.

What the fuck is going on with me?!

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