Realm of Monsters

“This looks familiar. My idiot student, lying on the ground, unable to move a finger, because he did exactly what he wasn’t supposed to,” Loh shook her head.

“What happened to not trying to interrupt a mage when he is casting a spell?” Stryg groaned.

“The worst that could happen in that case would be your death. But, you were clearly already on that path, casting a spell that was obviously too much for you. My choice was crystal clear.”

“Why are you even here? Don’t you have meetings or something better to do?”

Loh kicked Stryg's leg, “I just saved your life. Be grateful.”

His incapacitated body could do nothing, but flinch.

She sat on the bench nearby. “Tauri told me that you acted out in her class. She forced me to come check on you, make sure your head was in the right place. Clearly, it's not.”

“Professor Tauri did? Why?” Stryg was surprised. The orc was normally cheerful, but she didn’t seem to care very much for any of her students, including him. So, why would she take a sudden interest in Stryg?

“Because she knows you're my apprentice. And she wants to make sure I do a good job, or something. I don’t know. I didn’t stick around to hear her nagging speech,” Loh sighed.

“...I see.”

“...Yep.”

The silence lingered in the air between them. Stryg lay on the ground while Loh sat, her back reclined on the bench.

“What happened in Tauri’s class anyway?” Loh finally asked. “I don’t want Tauri to be nagging me every time you mess up.”

“Nothing really... I just lost a sparring match. I tried hitting another student in the face, but he blocked and I lost anyway.”

“Really? From our training, I gathered you’re quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Who was your opponent?”

“Clypeus Gale, the vampire.”

“Oh, that child of house Gale. That makes more sense. He performs quite well in my class. He’s a manifold mage like you, as well.”

“I didn’t know that,” Stryg swayed his head to the side. “I thought manifold magi were supposed to be rare.”

“They are. But, the Gale family prides themselves in their martial prowess. They have successfully served the great house Veres for centuries, defeating any foe that might be a threat to the Veres. They have managed the feat through selective breeding. The Gales only choose powerful vampire magi to add to their line. Clypeus is the product of that pedigree.”

“That doesn’t matter, I’ll beat him someday. I just need to practice more.”

“I don’t know about that. House Gale trains their children in martial combat like no other, well except for house Katag I guess.”

“Then I’ll just train even more,” he grumbled.

“Stryg… Why were you even trying to cast that spell? I know I’ve taught you better than to attempt such a foolish risk. Necromancy just clearly isn’t in your scope of talent.”

Stryg stayed quiet.

The boy’s stubborn, Loh lamented.

Loh sighed, “I’m too busy for this. Ugh, dammit all. I order you as your master to tell me what happened, every detail. Otherwise, your apprenticeship is over. Make it quick.”

Stryg grit his teeth and closed his eyes in defeat. “I didn’t want to give up, okay? ...When I was younger I failed at everything. I could never keep up with my tribemates.”

“You're from a tribe?” Loh asked, surprised. She had never really cared to look into his background. Honestly, she had never taken time to learn much about Stryg at all.

“A sylvan tribe from Vulture Woods. They trained us all to be warriors, but I was the weakest of them. The runt, you could say. And no matter how much I tried, I always failed. Eventually, on my 18th birthday there was a challenge. I lost because I gave up. After that I didn’t stop giving up. I ended up losing my tribemates, my honor, my home. Until I came here, and found out I was a mageborn.”

Stryg looked at her, resolve in his eyes, “Ever since then I promised myself I wouldn’t give up, I would become the most powerful mage, no matter the cost.”

Loh felt her throat tighten as she heard those condemning words. How could she have been so blind? She was doing it all over again. He was just like Aizel and she was failing him just the same. How pathetic. She had sworn she’d be different this time, that everything would change. And yet here she was again, at the precipice. As if fate was taunting her with her failures.

No, she took a deep breath. She would not fail him this time.

Loh cleared her throat, “There are ten chromatic colors, which produce 30 different spell forms, including the true forms.”

“What does that have to do with any of this?” Stryg asked.

“Just shut up and listen,” Loh snapped.

Stryg closed his mouth, but his eyes were cold.

Loh didn’t care, she continued, “No one can use all 30 spell forms, since it’d require being a true chromatic mage and manifold mage, which is impossible. But, there are some manifold magi capable of using all ten colors. They are known as prime magi.”

“Once in the Jade Realm, there was a prime mage who had taken over a castle and was terrorizing the townsfolk nearby. It was a time of great turmoil in the Realm, help seemed impossible. The townsfolk had lost all hope. That was when Melantha the Blue appeared.”

“At the time she was simply known as Melantha, the child of a scullery maid and a baker. She had come to the town only to rest for the night, before resuming her travels in the morning. No one paid her any mind. All they saw was just another woman fleeing from war.”

“But, when Melantha heard of the prime mage who had been tormenting the people, she took a stand. She promised to help them. The townsfolk laughed at the small woman. What could she possibly do? Melantha ignored their words of ridicule. It didn’t matter what others said she couldn’t do. All that mattered was her belief in what she could.”

“That very night Melantha marched into the castle, killing every enemy guard who tried to stop her. Eventually, she made her way to the main hall, where the prime mage waited. The mage was furious with her. She had killed his men and he would have his vengeance.”

“The mage focused all his intent on murdering this seemingly simple woman. Spells of all the colors wrapped around his being, his full arsenal ready to be unleashed. Then Melantha raised her hands, blue mana coursing through her veins, and called upon the greatest bolt of lightning in all the Realm. They say the devastation was so great that the castle’s main hall fell apart. Not a speck of dust was left of the prime mage. Melantha had obliterated him in the blink of an eye. In a single night she had changed the course of a kingdom’s entire fate. She would later be hailed as Melantha the Blue, paramount knight of the Jade Realm.”

“Melantha was praised as the greatest blue mage of her era. You see, Melantha understood an important truth. One didn’t need all the chromatic colors or spell forms to be strong. All one needed was one single potent spell form. Nothing else. You don’t need necromancy to become a powerful mage. It’s alright if you can’t use anything but the shadow spell form. It’s even alright if you fail practicing at that.”

Loh stared into Stryg’s eyes, “Failure does not make you a failure. It is simply an opportunity to rise above our faults. To become greater than who we are. The key isn’t in never backing down from a fight. It’s in knowing our limits, taking a break, and then pushing forward.”

“I don’t understand,” Stryg frowned.

“Stryg, there will never be enough power in the world for you to be satisfied. You can’t become an all-powerful mage, it’s a fallacy. Chasing such a path will only lead you to ruin. Trust me, take it from someone who tried and lost more than you could ever imagine.” Loh took a shaky breath, “There is more to this world than strength. I was once blind to that and I’ll never stop regretting it.”

“But, you need power to get the things you want,” Stryg argued.

“Sure, there are times where power is needed. People don’t mess with me because I’ll kill them if they try. But, at the end of the day power is not what any of us really want.”

“And what do we really want then?” Stryg frowned.

Loh ran her hands through her hair, “Damned if I know. Love, I guess? No amount of power can get you that.”

“I’m not so sure about love,” Stryg said.

He didn’t need love, not really. Lust he could understand. Having someone’s body, to have them in your hands, the thought was intoxicating. But, love? Love was being vulnerable to another in a way you could never undo. It was said to be the greatest weakness of all.

What Stryg needed was the power to never be hurt again. Not to lose anything he cared for. To keep it close and make it his. He was tired of always being in pain. Love only promised more of the same. But, magic, that showed him a glimpse of what was actually possible and he wanted so much more.

“Maybe you’re too young to understand, or maybe I’m just a fool, heh,” Loh chuckled.

Stryg was stunned to silence. He had never thought his proud master would ever admit to being a fool.

“...Do you have someone you love?” Stryg asked.

Could someone like her, who had it all, the looks, the power, the wealth, need something like love?

“...Yes. But, I don’t think they feel the same. A part of me thinks they never will,” Loh sighed.

“Then why love them? It seems as if it will only hurt you.”

“Oh, Stryg,” Loh smiled sadly. “You can’t control love, even when it hurts horribly. It just happens. Someday you may understand.”

“No, I don’t think I will,” Stryg shook his head.

Loh seemed to be suffering from what Kithina had once referred to as being lovesick.

“Is there anyone important in your life?” Loh asked.

“...Myself?”

“I mean someone you care about, idiot. Romantically.”

“Romantically?”

Loh groaned, “How are you this ignorant? Anyone that makes your heart race when you look into their eyes?”

“Uh..”

“Gods. Seriously? Ok, is there anyone you want to sleep with. Anyone you might be banging?”

“Well, there is this one barmaid.”

“Great, and how do you feel about her?”

“Her boobs feel quite nice.”

“Not physically, you moron,” Loh pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut, “We’re going to have to work on your communication skills. What I mean Stryg, is how do you feel emotionally when you are around her?”

“Nothing particularly. Except,” Stryg paused. “Well, there was this one time, I felt,” he paused again, unable to put it into words.

“Ah, so my cold little apprentice has a heart after all,” Loh said in triumph.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Stryg frowned.

Loh’ stomach growled, “I need to get something to eat.”

“Let me guess, some sweets?” Stryg groaned as he forced himself to stand.

His body ached, he really didn’t want to go on another errand.

“No, let’s get some real food.” Loh stood up as well. “Well, what are you waiting for? Come on, let's go. We can talk about your horrid social skills on the way over. You won’t charm any girl as you are now.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t worry you’re not my type. I’m not into men,” Loh smirked.

“Wait, I thought you said you were too busy for any of this. Spending time here with me, I mean. And now you want to go eat together?” Stryg was confused. His master was acting very weird today.

“Stryg, I want you to listen very carefully.” Loh placed her hands on his shoulders, “I wasn’t taking my role as your master serious enough. I understand that now. So, let’s make this official. I, Loh of the great house of Noir, promise to not abandon you, Stryg. I will stay by your side to train you in the ways of magic and life, until you are ready or I can no longer.”

“What? Why?” Stryg whispered. Why would she say such an unwavering promise? It was an enormous burden to bear.

“You don’t need to know that. I have my reasons. Just believe me when I say your dumbass is my 2nd top priority right now. The 1st is food, now come on, I’m starving,” Loh grinned.