Finished with breakfast, I head towards the training salle. I run several laps with the estate guards. After a mile warmup the group stretches and split to the various instructors. The men never approach me, but I could tell they watched me out of the corner of their eyes. In my new form, I easily stayed at the front of the pack and never struggled. In fact, I performed better. I kept my thoughts to myself and split for Effrion and Calisto.

Effrion explains, “I will work with you on daggers against various weapons. Offense and defense. When we finish, you are with Callisto for agility and street fighting.”

Looking at Callisto in surprise, “Street fighting?”

“Yeah; back alley, dirty, roll around on the ground until the other guy is dead. How to fight hard and fast. These are thief and some assassin skills. Also, run into a drunk sailor? They need more money for booze? This training is: lifesaving meets sneaky asshole.” Callisto explained.

“Got it, going to get my ass kicked. Let's start.”

Effrion walks me through blocking and dodging skills from short and long swords, axes and several blunt weapons. This includes staves. As he shows me the moves, he then moves through a series of attacks I need to block. I can tell he is pulling the attacks. I know he is going slow, but I will not let that piss me off. I don’t have these skills. This is part of my learning curve.

I am not horrible. My speed feels good and I know it will improve. I try to visualize my blocks with each of his attacks. I add strength into my blocks and soon he isn’t pulling the blows as he had earlier. We spent several hours working, with small breaks for water. I sport several small cuts on my forearms, shoulders, ribs and a thigh. They aren’t life threatening but supremely irritating. They sting as my sweat runs into them.

Callisto steps up and announces, “My turn. You will now train your agility skills.” With this pronouncement, Callisto points a finger upwards. Looking up... way up and into the rafters I spy an obstacle course some twenty feet above the salle floor.

With wide eyes I ask, “Are you serious? I can break my neck in a fall!” I finish with the declaration of my immanent death.

“We have a healer here, stop acting dramatically and get your succubi-ass up there.” Smirked Callisto.

“How?”

He just stares at me. When I do nothing Callisto changes into his combat form, leaps into the air and flaps to a platform at one end of the course.

Feeling stupid I change form and fly. Way cool. It is odd having wings to lift my body. But the action comes automatic and I try zipping around a few rafters prior to landing next to Callisto.

As I land, I notice Callisto is in his human form. I change back and ask, “Shouldn’t I stay in my combat form for the course? Having the ability to fly seems a must with the height.”

“Nope, you will develop your skills in this form. It is more difficult, the learning curve is faster and there are many times you cannot change into your combat form or risk being discovered.”

I ask, “Won't my red-tinged skin give me away?”

“There are creams to cover the skin color. You may need the ability to hide and escape. This training has several benefits.”

Callisto continues to explain, “Now, start here and make it to the other side of the course without falling. Today, there are no surprises. Just make it across. The difficulty will increase daily.” Finishing, Callisto goes back to his combat form and glides to the floor to stand next to Effrion to watch my progress.

Which is none, I haven’t moved. Crap.

First, I am not a fan of heights. Second, I don’t want to experience the fall. I imagine I might pee myself... great, a champion that pees herself. So... Not... Cool.

Trying to lose my thoughts of embarrassment. I look for the path I need to traverse. The course is a series of platforms separated with spaces too far to jump. Ropes, bars, the rafters, chains and various other items lay between myself and the platforms. I can see the last platform against the far wall and shudder at the thought of making it across.

Seriously? This is Ninja Warrior for the medieval ages. Ok... not that extreme, but shit... this will suck.

I find away to sidestep along a rafter, while holding another. This will lead most of the way there. Cautiously I slide my body sideways across, trying not to look down. I edge as far as I can and look at the space required to leap. It looks feasible, but I am dripping sweat I am so nervous. I look down, want to quit and go back.

How can I think I am a champion? This is crazy!

Closing my eyes, I leap and land on my stomach. My legs flop off, but I pull forward and lay there panting. From below I hear catcalls from my two mentors.

Callisto calls, “Lovely, just lovely. Now get up and move to the next platform.” While Effrion calls, “I thought your blade work was dismal... at this rate you will never make it across the course.”

Moving to my hands and knees, I look at the next section. The direct route is a set of knotted ropes. One is conveniently slung back and the end wraps around a close rafter. I grab it and do not look down. I work my thoughts to all the fun I had working these kinds of courses in my prior life. But... twenty feet? That really takes the fun out of this.

Maybe I should fall, respawn and get over the fear? No, damn it... I never quit.

Standing and grabbing the rope’s end, I reach as high as I can over a knot. Taking a breath, I swing to the next rope in line, grab it and realize the mistake. I lost momentum when I didn’t let go of the first line. Now I have hold of both. This means I need to rock back and forth between the two. I get a good rhythm going, letting go and hoping I make it to the third rope. I do... barely. With my rhythm still off, I swing back and forth again. I make it to the next platform and drop for another rest. My arms are shaking. I already wore them out from weapons training and now I am on the swing-set-of-death.

Peering over the platform’s edge, I see Callisto and Effrion talking together and not watching me. I guess I am that boring... unconcerned I might fall.

Sizing up the next portion makes me smile. Monkey bars. Finally, I can do this. I jump to the first one and then raise my legs, putting my feet up and through the bars. In this method, I slowly work from one bar to the next, while hanging upside down. Not pretty, not fast. I didn’t have to look at the ground, so I am calling this a win. Continuing on between several more platforms, I finish without falling. THe rest of the course consists of chains, some small leaps, more ropes and such. The job is complete. Changing form, I glide to the salle floor.

Callisto is shaking his head back and forth, gesturing upwards, “What was that?”

“I dislike heights.”

“Well, you and I will spend so much time up there from now on that it will become a second home. You will grow comfortable with this.” He spins away from me and the two walk off. Effrion calls back, “Food, magic and meditation. Let's go.”

Draggin my feet, I follow along. I am feeling so down about today’s training I don’t take time to admire the estate gardens on our way back to the study and down to the caverns. I am starving; we skipped lunch and I look forward to eating and soaking my muscles in the steaming, sulfur water.

I am concentrating so hard on food and soaking I didn’t pay attention to the maid stripping me alongside the men. Rinsing the day's sweat and grime off under the small falls, I then head to the soaking pool. It seems the whole naked thing will be easy to overcome.

Ishtar joins the three of us and asks, “How did training go today?”

The only answer I give is an eye-roll.

Callisto is never one to hold back, “Our fearless champion is afraid of heights.”

I know Ishtar is looking at me, but I studiously work on food and drink.

“Really?” Is all he asks.

I mutter, “Not exactly afraid of heights. I am afraid of falling from heights that can kill you.”

Callisto continues, “I don’t think she understands our capabilities as elder demons and hers as a champion.”

I look up at that, “Are you saying that falling 20 feet will not kill me?”

Ishtar answer for him, “Not likely.”

Effrion offers his thoughts, “We will work with her to overcome the fears. She won’t like it, but it will get the job done.”

This doesn’t sound good. I think back to mountaineering school. Squatting on a glacier, ice pick in hand, crampons attached to the bottoms of my boots and told to somersault a minimum of three times prior to stopping my slide down the steep incline. That scared the hell out of me. Thinking back, it ended up fun. Maybe I can turn the obstacle course from hell into fun?

Looking at the three, “I will work on it. In my former world a fall from that height can be fatal or leave you with life-threatening injuries. I have had a few of those and the remembered pain isn’t something I look forward to.”

Ishtar nods his head, “That is part of the Know Thyself path. We learn from early childhood to work through our fears as we grow in our power through meditation. Those that consistently work on themselves become better. They become more.”

“Sounds like I am performing self-therapy.”

This statement brings questioning looks from the men. “Therapy?” Effrion and Callisto ask at the same time.

“Nevermind. I have had a lot of therapy and may understand the meditation better by knowing that I need to work through my fears as I grow in power.” I answer.

Standing up in front of the three men, I let the water stream down my body, watching for a reaction. Callisto is all grins, Effrion smiles and nods my way while Ishtar looks bored.

Calling to Una, I walk out of the steaming pool to explore the cavern in better detail as I find a place to practice magic. I believe a football field can fit inside the area. Today, I take the time to admire the unbelievable setting. The floor has a smooth texture without being slippery and differently shaped and sized pools hide behind rock outcroppings screening the pools from each other. The lighting comes from orbs hanging throughout the area. It didn’t make the area bright, more like mood lighting. Enough to see by, but never bright. Phosphorous minerals shone in the low lighting, making areas sparkle or shine. But it wasn’t only the lighting that made everything feel special. The waterfalls of various sizes added a sound-dampening effect, making me feel cut off from the entire world.

Una circles above me, calling out in her croon and lands by pool surrounded by a large sandy beach. It has a small waterfall along one side. This pool seems more for swimming than soaking. Deciding to test this theory, I walk into the water. The closer to the falls I swim the cooler the water, becoming invigorating. It is a nice area to swim and I know I will spend time here often.

Now feeling wide awake and calm I need to work on magic.

Knowing that I must use my imagination to learn essence magic, I think back to what I want to do and what I may need to do. I haven’t thought about healing, how to grow my magical reservoir, defense or offence abilities with magic.

So imagination??? They say inventions come from the minds of those before you. I can build on the ideas of others. What do I want to make with my magic? What do I want to do with it? Thinking about defense; silence, shielding, resistance, and a spell rebound seem like great skills. Can I buff others?

I need to concentrate on my build. I am a magic DPS rouge. My primary build is a caster so my damage per second is important. My rouge build is really for close in protection and sneaking in and out of places. What can I use for DPS? Balls, daggers, traps, whip... what about an AOE capability? Having an area of effect spell comes in handy... rain of essence?

A lot of the LitRPG books I read involved heros and their abilities to craft or enchant. I probably want to enchant weapons at some point. At least enhance my own and my companions' weapons. I have no interest in understanding smithing and I can’t really picture myself settling down to craft... tabling these thought for the moment I move unto the basics of magic and how it builds to essence.

My understanding is the basic magical elements are; Water, Fire, Air and Earth. Then comes Chaos followed by Essence. Bringing the magical energy around me close, I spin pure essence in front of me, wondering how you go from the basics, to chaos and then the form I have now.

The essence feels nothing of the other powers. Is this a pure form of magic? Must a mage mix the basic elements to form chaos and then the mage moves to essence? Reaching out to the four elements I blend the powers together and hear Una’s coo next to me. I guess I am on the right path.

It is difficult to mix the four. You don’t add one to the other and get chaos. My first try involves spinning, since that works for the essence, and I picture the four elemental magics spinning together like pieces of cable or yarn. I push my will into the four elements becoming more. I watch for a pattern to emerge from the interweaving. It emerges slowly and I can see the interlocking elements changing into a spiral of muddy gray. This is hard. The chaos doesn’t want to conform to my wishes of spinning. I feel it try to get away from me and know I must work it into essence. Unless... I plan to use chaos? Not right now... essence first.

Holding the spinning chaos together, I work at purifying the spiral. My vision zooms into the pattern the chaos makes. Focusing my will, I concentrate on the strands of chaos becoming thinner. I am attempting to weave a tighter line of magic. By spinning and stretching the chaos, it slowly becomes the color of mercury. As if I am purifying the chaos into essence.

I better understand the gift Varuna gave me. To gain this ability a person must gain affinities of the four elemental magics. Then learn to weave them into chaos. If you don’t let that get out of control, a mage may learn to refine that further into essence. I can’t imagine the decades mages spent trying and then never fully developing their skills to this level. This knowledge is lost. I wonder if it is the understanding of making Chaos to achieve Essence that in no longer remembered.

Either way, I am not sharing this knowledge with a soul. I could sell the information for a kingdom’s ransom. No... that leaves me with no outstanding power and where would all the fun go in that?

Ok, I understand how a mage works towards essence, but what can I do with it? No, the better question is, what do I need it to do for me?

I think back to the obstacle course and weapons training. I need to shield myself, propel my body and I would like a way to fall but not hurt. Can I project a force field around my body? Reinforce my skin? Bounce off of walls? Propel my body? Maybe wrap myself in bubble wrap made of essence?

Hell, if I want to do all of this... my well of power/energy... whatever, needs to be expansive. So, constant essence use to grow my abilities? I lay back into the sand and envision inside myself. The warmth of the sand soaks into my body and comforts the muscles and strains of the day. Una lays by my head and has his head across my shoulder and unto my chest. I feel his happy coos as I close my eyes and work my thoughts inward.

Keeping my thoughts on the swirling essence, I worked on feeling how I draw the power in. What was I using that powers this ability? Basically, the gas tank and how much gas am I using? It's not like I have a way to look at mana levels.

I feel a resonance within myself, but do not understand on how to gauge the time I can work the essence. I give this line of thought up. Screw the mechanics. I will work with it until I am tired. Sitting up, I continue to swirl the power and try to stretch it out, to make it thinner. My thoughts center on the essence becoming invisible. I want finesse and fine control over this power.

Losing track of time, I work on thinning and weaving the essence further and further. I stop when I can no longer hold the essence together. Letting it seep away from me and into the surrounding ley lines, I stagger to my feet. Una follows above me as I head to the large falls. I liked the resonance my body felt behind the sheeting water.

I lay on the same outcropping over the water, close my eyes and meditate. First, I work on my fear of falling. I understand it is ok to fear. I must push through the fear. I also focused on the fact that I may feel pain, but it isn’t the same as my prior life. Here there is instant healing and I regenerate. Until this moment, I had forgotten the small cuts from earlier training. I received no healing magic and they have disappeared. Feeling better, I work my thoughts to the skills I need to improve from today’s training. Speed, agility, some strength, ability to manipulate the essence for longer periods of time. Then I add a need to regenerate faster and healing myself.

I feel Una nudge me and I am reminded of my comment to him the prior evening. I wanted him to remind me about communication. I want the ability to understand other languages and communicate with him easier.

Last, there is luck. I might as well add luck into my meditation practices. Who knows if that is a factor, but I hope that I can boost mine. Then I realize I am not focusing on my total build. I concentrate on my aura, dream walking, and attractiveness. I add those abilities to the luck factor in my brain and concentrate on my overall build.

I feel a warmth fill my body. I have leveled but was it a whole level? Half a level? I will drive myself crazy trying to figure this out. Leaving that mystery for others, I hop off my ledge and into the water, stretching. I want to change form again, but I am not ready to tackle the men with my succubi abilities. I think I need to concentrate on the skills training and magic first and wait for challenging one of the men after I gain more power.

Una, can you understand me better?

I feel an emotional response from the firebird. He is happy and sends those feelings towards me. Ok, I am going with our communication is improving.

Walking out from my waterfall, as I am thinking of it, I head back towards the men. I can feel their auras. Now, that’s interesting. I had to push my power towards them yesterday and now I just think and know they are near. Guess the aura ability gained power.

Deciding I want to sleep and wake early for training tomorrow, I wave at them men, telling them I will see them at breakfast. I find Boonsri waiting for me with a robe. She drys me off and wraps the silken slip of a robe around my body. Thanking her I head to bed.