Chapter 17 — Ranger's First Transformation

Though she was risking being late to Elder Genwald’s class again, Ria rode the elevator platform up to the floor where Researcher Shadwich’s laboratory resided and was glad to hear the sound of Shadwich’s voice coming from his office.

The door was ajar, so she knocked lightly and entered, partially re-closing the door once Ranger was inside.

Shadwich waved and smiled in her direction as he continued his conversation with a crystal ball that looked identical to the one Administrator Charise had used for Ria’s license transfer. “Yes, as fresh as possible.”

“I’ll see what I can do. It’s not the season for those, but I might be able to acquire a few from the Elder of the Way’s garden. Expect at least a few days to get permission, and Master Yeriliel will likely want an equivalent treasure in exchange.”

“Oh, that would be perfect. If the Elder has a preference, we would be willing to trade a fruit from Master Irelyni’s garden,” Shadwich offered to the Elven-sounding voice.

“Yes, I could see him desiring that, if not for himself, then for one of the senior disciples.”

“I appreciate your help in this matter. Contact me when the arrangements are prepared, and I’ll send someone over.”

“Stay one with Nature.”

“You as well.”

Shadwich gave her his full attention as the crystal turned dark… or at least less glowy. “That was one of the ingredients for Ranger’s transformation-”

“Woof!” Ranger volunteered his readiness.

“Good to see you eager, Ranger,” Shadwich continued with a chuckle. “Some of the process might be uncomfortable or even painful, so you’ll need to prepare yourself.”

“Woof! Woof!”

“That’s the spirit!” The researcher returned his attention to Ria. “I was hoping you’d show up this morning. How was the shopping? Were you able to get everything on the list?”

“I had to rely on Shopkeeper Tyrilenil, but I think everything is here.” Ria produced the sack of item’s Ana had purchased for her and passed it to Researcher Shadwich.

After liberating the contents onto his desk, Shadwich put his monocle on and spent a minute sorting and inspecting the items. “Tyrilenil is an expert in these matters and his suppliers are quite good at what they do. You did well choosing his shop, even if you likely overpaid by a small amount. All of these will do nicely.”

That was good to hear… well, not that she overpaid, but that she at least hadn’t purchased anything inferior or that might affect Ranger’s health. “So… what’s everything for?”

“The theory is to transition in stages from ‘animal’ to ‘magic beast’ to ‘spirit beast’ and eventually to a ‘divine beast’.” Shadwich paused and grinned. “Achieving the last stage of course is mostly conjecture. Each divine transformation is unique, and those who have achieved it aren’t exactly forthcoming with their secrets.”

“Woof, wawr…”

“He’s excited about getting stronger but not keen on being called a beast,” Ria translated.

“Ah, no need to worry about that; it’s just a category. We can certainly find a more fitting name for what Ranger evolves into—something he can be proud of,” Shadwich assured.

Looking over the magic-imbued treats, pills, and vials of liquids and powders that were purchased for less than 2 gold crowns, Ria couldn’t help feeling skeptical. “So, these will really do all that?”

“Oh, heavens no.” Shadwich waved his hand in denial. “These are just for the magic-beast transformation. I’m still working on acquiring the treasures we will need for the spirit-beast transformation. After that, even attempting the divine transformation will require a lengthy process of purification and tempering involving travel to places of extreme power and spirituality. Ritual submersion in the Holy Forge of Dar’Farren, a pool of volcanic magma long sanctified by priests of Khalgar, is one likely option for example, once we get to that point.”

Ria gulped. By the time he reached the part about Ranger bathing in hot magma, Researcher Shadwich’s eyes were again burning with an enthusiasm that was worrisome.

“Woof?”

Naturally, Ranger wasn’t sure what ‘volcanic magma’ was, but even when explained as rock melted in a very hot fire, his question was still whether it would make him stronger…

Ria resigned herself to this being a ridiculous undertaking. She would have to trust Researcher Shadwich’s judgement and experience. “So, how do we start? And what do I need to do?”

“First step is the medicine that will cleanse his current energy toxicity and make his body more receptive to absorbing the elemental-change powder. Here, Ranger!” Shadwich tossed a pill up in the air for Ranger to eagerly catch and swallow down. “Great job! Now, onto the platform over here, boy.”

After Ranger hopped onto the platform, Shadwhich empowered the platform’s enchantment. Ria was fairly sure some of the glyphs were for cleaning, and maybe purifying? She’d have to check her dictionary of glyphs to be sure… soon as she purchased a new, non-restricted one.

“Wawr… wawrow,” Ranger complained.

“Ah, he says he feels sick, Researcher Shadwich. Is that normal?” Ria worried.

“Oh, yes. Quite. You’ll understand in a moment,” Shadwich reassured. “Make sure you stay on the platform, Ranger. Okay?”

“Woof...”

Ranger quivered like he had eaten something bad, then as she watched, he purged a foul energy-tainted sludge. The sludge exploded out onto the platform with a series of disgusting splats and his fur was dripping with the stuff.

“Oh, gross!” Ria exclaimed, cringing even before the smell hit her. “What is that?!”

Shadwich chuckled. “A combination of toxins, impurities, and corrupted or incompatible energies that the medicine forced from his body. The Elven medicines are quite effective and quick-acting. The downside is… as you see.”

“Wawr…”

The enchantment was doing rapid work on the mess, and it seemed to be turning to water and evaporating.

“Next we’ll set up his elemental-affinity bath.” Researcher Shadwich directed Ria’s attention to a Ranger-sized tank of light green liquid. “The liquid inside is a special catalyst that is breathable and will help the powders and potions absorb into his body evenly.”

“Ah, I don’t think Ranger’s going to like that…” Whatever a ‘breathable’ liquid was, it sounded terrible. Ria had been unlucky enough to get a lungful of water at the swimming hole once…

“No. It’s not particularly pleasant, but if you can keep him calm, he’ll get used to it quick enough. Do your best.” With that, Shadwich used a wand to levitate an exhausted but surprisingly clean Ranger over the liquid-filled tank and started lowering him into the liquid.

Ria took a deep breath, and sent calming thoughts to Ranger and explained through the bond that the liquid was like thick air and not to worry.

“Okay, Ranger. Here’s the tough part. Remember that determination you had earlier,” Shadwich encouraged him and lowered Ranger’s head into the liquid.

Through the bond, Ria could feel Ranger start to panic when the liquid went into his nose, and an involuntary sneeze pulled in more, hastening the process. Shadwich’s spell firmly held poor Ranger in place until the panic subsided.

“Excellent job, Ranger. Next, we’re going to make you strong so you can protect Ria.”

Ranger stood tall inside the liquid-filled tank and nodded that he was ready.

“Here we go then!” Shadwich announced as he carefully poured a measured portion of potion into the catalyst, followed by an equally measured amount of powder.

The powder glittered as it dispersed evenly into the potion-mixed catalyst.

Ria merged her senses with Ranger’s to get a better idea of what the process felt like, and what started as a tingling soon built to an unbearable itching throughout his whole body. She had to back out from the link but Ranger continued to stoically bear it.

Proud of her familiar, Ria wiped away a bit of wetness from her eyes at just how much he wanted to be able to keep her safe.

“Well, that’s it for now,” Shadwich spoke up, squinting his monocle as he watched the progress. “I’ll monitor his condition and adjust the density as needed, but this will take most of the day depending on how quickly he can safely absorb it. If all goes as expected, he should pick up a significant amount of earth affinity.”

“Ah, thanks, Researcher Shadwich. Um, why earth though?” Ria asked. She probably should have asked beforehand…

“Adding the first affinity is the most difficult, and earth affinity is one of the easiest—certainly easier and safer than fire, for example—and it’s close to your natural affinity. So, after the initial transformation, he should naturally develop in a direction similar to your own. As a bonus, his earth affinity should improve your own through the bond.” Researcher Shadwich smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Now, I suspect you can still make it to class on time if you hurry.”

“Oh no!”

He chuckled. “I should have the soul-strengthening manual for you when you come by after classes.”

Ria told herself she would’ve been on time if she had remembered that today’s class in elemental magic was a practicum instead of a lecture. Of course, that would have only been true had she known where the practicum room was... or even that the location for the day’s class wasn’t in a room, or even the tower at all, but rather at the Garden of Elements—where her familiar empowering class met the day prior.

“You went to the lecture hall, didn’t you?” Jax teased her as she joined the line he was in, waiting to use one of the spell cubes set up for the lesson.

Ria huffed. Just because it was true didn’t mean she had to admit it!

Jax’s eyes were laughing at her as he moved on to the next topic, “I saw your duel yesterday. That was a spectacular loss. Maybe the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.”

“Let’s see you do better,” she reflexively snapped at him.

He let out a short laugh. “Wouldn’t be hard. I mean, dodging, or anything really, instead of just standing there would have worked out better.”

She took a deep breath not to say anything intemperate. “The duel was intended to embarrass me for beating a second-year. That was the first time I’d met him, and I’ve never fought against a mage with crystal magic before, or really anything other than lightning magic and curses.”

“That’s… awfully specific.” He gave her an evaluating look, a bit of the gloating smirk wiped away.

“Yep.” Ria gave him a mock salute. “Honorary Lieutenant Ria, veteran of the battle of Vorshan’s Hills, at your service.”

“The skirmish with Skyreach barbarians?” Jax asked, incredulous.

“A siege, but yes.”

Jax showed interest in what the battle was like, and the conversation continued until it was his turn to use the cube. At which point, she found herself with a situation reversed from that at the library—this time she was waiting for him to finish.

The girl in line behind her didn’t seem particularly interested in being talkative, so Ria got out her book for class and studied the spell she would be practicing shortly.

When Ria’s turn came, she was surprised at how helpful the spell cube was, assisting her to precisely shape the glyphs and control structures for the basic water creation spell. As she worked the spell, the created water fed into a small burbling brook that meandered past the installation.

Not wanting to hog the spell cube, once she felt she understood the spell well enough to attempt casting on her own, she moved on to where Elder Genwald was providing guidance to students standing around a fountain, helping each to cast the spell without the aid of the spell cube. She checked on Ranger while waiting for a spot at the fountain to open up.

Her wait wasn’t long. Most of the class either already knew the water conjuring spell or felt working on their attunements at the meditation spots was more important.

Using the spell cube had given Ria a false sense of proficiency with the spell, but with Elder Genwald pointing out the places she had incorrect, a steady stream was soon dribbling into the fountain like the other students. She did earn herself a rebuke when her competition with Jax to create the largest spout of water resulted in the fountain overflowing.

Overall, she was pleased with how the class went, but still hadn’t made any new friends. Maybe she’d get a chance in her next class?

Having asked for directions this time, Ria had reached the building where her abjuration class was scheduled with plenty of time to spare. She looked up at the Hall of Defensive Magic where the Warder’s Guild resided. The imposing hall gave the impression of a fortress even with its tall doors open.

Some of the students passing by gave her pitying looks or laughed among themselves. The students coming in and out of this hall were of a different sort compared to those in her other classes. Few here showed any deference to her gold-rimmed insignia or fancy robe and mantle.

Even so, she took a deep breath of the fresh air and firmed her resolve to make at least one new friend.