The explanation went something like this,

“Someone broke in! I…I hit my head. I can’t remember what happened.”

I…lied.

But it was for Glacia’s safety. So, I didn’t have a choice. At least that’s what I told myself. Maybe that doesn’t make it right. But I don’t care.

I hate lying to them. However, Glacia’s life is forfeit if I say anything. So, I don’t have a choice.

In the end, I faked amnesia over the whole thing. Said that I went down to investigate a thief in the night, and that Glacia saved me when the intruder attacked. It’s half true anyways! Romy nodded her head, surveying the chaos that had become of the living room. Every window on the first floor was shattered. There were great puddles of half-melted ice shards lying everywhere, and Glacia’s blood covered the floor, although when Mark went to heal her, he realized that she didn’t have any visible wounds, despite all the red on her clothes. When he saw that, his expression towards me turned strange. Please don’t ask me anymore questions…

“Myrr…” He whispered suspiciously and I grew afraid. However, Romy shook her head and he let it go. “You’re right, Honey, now’s not the best time. Maybe Glacia will be able to explain what happened, when she wakes up. Although I’m a bit worried why she isn’t…”

“I think she must have run out of mana protecting me.” I volunteered what was technically the truth. The insane magic Lissandrei used while possessing Glacia’s frail body must have taken a terrible toll on her. It took three days before my teacher awakened. When she did, she remembered nothing of that night, just as Lissandrei had said. After fruitlessly questioning her, Mark and Romy could only pick up the pieces and replace the windows, as well as remodel the living room. Over time, the incident was forgotten, although Romy now maintains a vigilant eye towards the outside, convinced that there are hidden enemies aiming for me. After all, my mother’s enemies are one of the primary suspects here. Mark himself continues to give me strange looks, but he hasn’t said anything more on the subject. For that…I am grateful.

Thus, my life learning swordsmanship and magic, continues as normal. Only I know of the terrible sacrifice Glacia made to save me. Whenever I think of it, I hug her extra tight at night. Though things ended up well, it was only because Lissandrei was scared off in the nick of time. I’m certain, that had the mysterious entities which caused her to retreat, intervened a little later that night, Glacia might have been lost to me forever, just like Mephis. Sometimes my gaze towards Mark and Romy becomes a bit strange as well. Lissandrei said that a powerful paladin was coming. As well as someone else. Mark is apparently quite skilled in healing magic. And Romy…is well…Romy. Still…I can’t quite believe that this spineless man who gets beaten regularly by his wife is actually strong enough to scare away someone like Lissandrei. But they arrived just as she left…the timing was too perfect. Well, maybe Mark and Romy have secrets as well. Since they do not pry into mine, I will leave them alone in return.

“Tch…failed again.”

Recently I’ve begun to notice a problem during my swordsmanship classes. I never noticed it before simulating real combat with Romy’s lessons, but now that I’ve entered into actual battles with consequences, it’s becoming glaringly obvious. Or maybe it’s a new development and I’ve only just begun to discover it now.

I can’t see the future and cast magic at the same time. I thought it was because I was panicking in the moment, last time I failed against Gatoa, but I think it’s a bigger problem than that. I just…can’t do both. Which means my Foresight is not very practical in actual combat.

I think, in the past, I’ve been unconsciously turning off Foresight right before chanting, and then reactivating it after finishing my spell. However, when fighting someone as fast as Romy, that moment’s distraction while I turn off Foresight, makes it impossible to win. Suddenly going from seeing both future and present, and then trying to cast magic, especially a Disguised Casting, basically splits my attention into four places, causing me to hesitate. A single moment like that is enough for me to get checkmated in a fight.

Have I always been like this?

Or am I just imagining it because I failed against Gatoa that time?

Ugh…I need to figure out a way to make this work.

My face in the dirt, I sigh.

Fifteen paces. I can never get past fifteen paces with Romy. Once the casting starts, I can’t look into the future without hesitating, and then she catches me once I’m distracted. I’ll never make it to the apple tree!

Even as I am, while Raccoon Mask Romy never admits it, Real Romy tells me that she is surprised that I can make it as far as I can against her, with my current toolkit and age. If only she knew…I can only predict her movements because I’m cheating and using Foresight sometimes. Still, I cannot complain about a lack of progress. Compared to how I was before with Mark’s lessons, this sort of pulse-pounding life or death struggle with Romy seems to be just what I needed. Even though I’m still not very good with Mephis’s dagger, it’s starting to feel more natural to use it defensively. As a matter of fact, Romy has finally begun to teach me offensive techniques.

“No, no. When you stab, it’s like this. Don’t just use your wrist, lock it tight and drive it in with your body. Otherwise, if you miss, you’ll drop your knife!” She seemingly knows everything there is to fighting with a blade. Her lessons can switch at the drop of a dime, and she often teaches me how to wield Mephis’s dagger as both a sword, and a knife. Every time she reveals some new crazy technique, I can only wonder. Who taught you all this? How brutal were they if you’re saying that what I’m going through ‘is taking it easy?’

“…” I nod silently, avoiding saying anything unless it’s a direct question about the technique. I’ve learned not to talk during lessons the hard way. Though it still aches when I sit, my butt is toughening up from being hit in the backside so much. Bones get stronger the more they’re beaten right? I think my tailbone might be the strongest bone in my body by now…

“Okay, ready to try again?” Romy asks and I attack her without hesitation. It doesn’t matter if I warn her or not. I think to her, I’m probably moving in slow motion. When I go to stab, she easily steps in and swats aside my wrist. Though she’s holding back, the impact still bruises me and I almost open my hand and let go of my dagger. At the last second, I remember that Romy hates it when I lose my weapon and close my fist. “Too slow. Too much wrist. You’re not trying to touch me with the point, you’re trying to drive it through me! Once more and with feeling!”

With feeling…is the sword an instrument or something?

The day’s lesson ends with a new collection of bruises and aches for me. Once it’s done, I go off to study more magic with Glacia. She’s beginning to teach me Intermediate Magic, so I’m excited!

Heh I wonder if she’ll show me the spell, she used against Gatoa? Or something different?

“Observe me carefully, Myrr. Intermediate Magic shouldn’t be too difficult for someone of your talent, but still, mistakes get more dangerous with each tier you climb.” Glacia sternly admonishes me. She is actually using her staff today. “Now, tell me, what are the four known ranks of magic?”

“Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert.” I recite.

“And beyond that?” She nods and raises her staff. For once, her unusual spiky white hair is still. Amidst the sunlight between the trees, Glacia looks beautiful, like a picture of frozen purity in her white robes and little witch hat. Her silver eyes especially, look extra soft and dreamy, and it’s because of that, that I am sure this is my Glacia and not Lissandrei, the imposter. I must never let her come into danger like that again. If she ever has to make another deal…I doubt I will get her back a second time. Glacia is a gift from God. The one thing I have ever been given that I need to cherish!

“Those who have surpassed Expert magic are categorized by many systems which change based on the country. However, they are frequently assessed titles such as Master, Paragon, Demigod, and Creator. Some schools try to categorize their strongest students for clout. However, it is hard to say who is really stronger and who is simply playing up their achievements to increase their reputation. Oftentimes mage are not as strong as their reputations make it seem.” The explanation I recite from memory, is to Glacia’s satisfaction.

“Very good, Myrr. You’ve been paying attention. Okay, I’m going to cast Ice Spear at that tree.” Glacia points at a thick tree that’s covered in razor-sharp-looking leaves in the distance. A common species around here, Razor-Tree. It seems the nuts which fall from it are often ground and mixed with flour to make a sort of pancake. “Intermediate Magic is very similar to Basic Magic, however, the level of complexity and mana manipulation is deeper. Instead of simply manifesting cold air like when we use Chill, for this spell, we actually focus our mind on creating a specific weapon! It is a much less flexible spell, but the effect is very impressive!”

[Cold Splinter Embedded In My Heart,

That Lance Which Grows At Night!

Come Forth-Ice Spear]

It IS the spell she used that night with Gatoa.

I pretend like I haven’t seen it before. It’s not hard because I’m very interested to see it again. The incantation for Intermediate Magic is longer than for Basic Magic. I already know Glacia can shorten her cast, but she is purposely saying the whole thing out slowly and clearly so that I can hear each word. She’s holding back. The other night, it was more powerful.

*Shing*

*Weng*

A great spear of ice forms, almost as long as my torso, and then rams forward into the tree with astounding force. Upon contact, a frosty wind erupts and then bits of shattered tree blow out everywhere. By the time the cold mist subsides, Glacia’s cheeks are a bit rosy. Looking at her target, it becomes obvious that if it had been a person, they would most certainly be dead. There is a huge hole bored dead through the thickest part of the trunk, about thirty centimeters deep. Additionally, cracks run through the bark all around it, evidence that a bit more and the whole thing might have exploded.

“Heh...how is it? What do you think of my Intermediate Magic?” Glacia says into the resulting stillness as the birds stop squawking around us. Giving her a big thumbs up, I vigorously nod-

“Awesome! Very cool!” Buttering up my teacher, who tries to act like she’s not enjoying it, I grin inside. “Can I try?”

“Please do. But don’t use the Bloodstone if possible. Learn the spell properly.” She instructs and I step in front. Picking another tree beside Glacia’s, I reflect on what I’ve learned about Intermediate Magic. So, it seems that by focusing your intent and purpose, and increasing the cast time, you also increase the sheer volume of mana that can be put into a single spell without losing control. This not only increases the power, but can also change the shape. If you think about it, my Disguised Casting spell, which combines Chill and Gust, is actually very similar to Ice Spear. Thus, in theory, I think Intermediate Magic is actually just a more focused version of the Basic Spells, a sort of specialized tool which is designed for specific applications. If that’s the case, then Glacia is right. Rather than choosing the most advanced magic possible, the Basic Spells are actually the most important. With enough practice you could accomplish almost anything with them.

“Still…I want to see what kind of effect I can make with a long incantation!” Talking to myself, I close my eyes and focus deeply on the well of mana inside myself. Then I remember the words and begin to chant out loud,

[Cold Splinter Embedded In My Heart,

That Lance Which Grows At Night!

Come Forth-Ice Spear]

*Shiiiing*

The condensing process is slower than Glacia’s casting. However, part of that is intentional. I’m reveling in the magic. Feeling the unusually large flow of energy being pulled through me. I take it slow, enjoying the sensation while casting Ice Spear. When it’s finally done, I know the incantation was way too slow. In any combat situation, I’d be dead by now. But my spear is massive. I know it even before looking at it. Opening my eyes, I see Glacia watching me with a painful expression. Is she…jealous? Oops…I made it too big!

*Kacha Kacha Kacha*

The Ice Spear in front of me is twice as long as Glacia’s, practically an actual spear of ice. Since I’m distracted by her discomfort, the spell starts to break apart, and I purposely allow it to fall apart completely. I had a feeling this might happen. Better make a mistake here or there. Even if I trust Glacia, she might become bitter if I show her up.

“Hey…why did you stop?” Glacia’s voice is a bit disappointed, and yet also a bit relieved. “Did you lose focus? Usually, you have very good concentration though…?”