"Huh, why am I..." Astra froze. "This isn't..."
"Good morning, Astra!" Kalia beamed, standing next to the bed.
"M-Master L-Lia!" Astra cried, jumping clean out of the bed, her face a bright scarlet.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep..."
"It's okay, Astra." Kalia smiled. "I can't say I'm mad that you stayed the night."
"Y-you mean we slept in the same bed t-together?!"
"I didn't realize you were such an 'aggressive' sleeper! You kept rolling over me and even ended up with your head at the other end."
"Ahhhh! How embarrassing!!!" Astra's head was spinning. "Forget you saw that!"
"You don't have to be so embarrassed." Kalia chuckled. "It was actually kinda cute."
"Uh—I'm... breakfast... downstairs."
Astra mumbled, tripping over her own feet as she ran out of the room.
"I think I broke her... I should get ready too. It's going to be a long day."
"Good morning, Master Lia! Breakfast will be ready in a little bit!"
"I told you, you didn't have to help." Kalia yawned. "But I appreciate it."
Kalia glanced in Astra's direction.
"I didn't get much sleep last night."
"M-Master Lia..." Astra choked on her tea. "N-nothing happened!"
"We decided to take turns making meals. It's not right to leave everything up to one person," Eron answered.
I guess if they want to help out, I shouldn't protest.
"So, about today. We're going to be testing your skills. Astra gave me an idea of where your talents might lie, but I'd like to see what each of you can actually do. After we eat, go get ready and meet me outside at the training grounds."
"Yes, Master Lia!"
The girls responded with a joking salute.
"Hehe, funny, you guys."
"Astra, are you going to be able to join us, or are you still done for?"
"I-I'm good..." Astra answered, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"I'll be waiting outside, then."
"Now, Astra is going to give you a full examination of your powers."
"Right. All I need you to do is write your name in this book, and it'll give me all the information I need."
"Is it really that easy, Astra?"
"Yeah. This is the same book they use in other guilds. The spell is simple but very accurate."
"I wonder what would happen if I used it?"
"I wouldn't, Master Lia... There's no telling what could happen. Your mana isn't part of this world," Astra warned.
"Gotcha."
Kalia caught the hint, an image of a book exploding in her face popping into her mind.
"Fio, you're first. Just sign your full name right here."
"Okay, Astra."
As Fio finished writing her name, the ink shimmered with pale blue light before fading from the page.
A heartbeat later, fresh lines of elegant script wrote themselves across the next sheet.
Information about Fio appeared, including her affinities, mana reserves, physical capabilities, and several other details.
"You were spot on, Astra. This is hardly any more information than you gave me last night."
"Wow! Eron can use healing magic!" Milena exclaimed, peering over the top of the book.
"Me? A healer?"
"Yep. Astra even thinks you could cast ancient magic!"
"I can use magic that powerful?!" Eron stammered.
"With practice, I'm sure of it!"
"I'm that strong?"
"That's so cool, Eron!" Lucy cried.
"What about me?" Sarah asked, jumping up and down.
"You can use dark magic."
"Wait, why do I have such scary magic...? I don't want people to think I'm a monster or something."
"Don't think about it that way. If you aren't doing anything bad, then no one will think you're evil, will they? The Sarah I know is the nicest person I've ever met."
"I guess, but... it still seems scary to me."
"Sarah! A dark wizard! Hahaha! Could you imagine her, of all people?"
Milena and Eron nearly fell over with laughter.
"Oh, guys, don't tease me..."
"We aren't. It's just too funny trying to imagine you doing a single bad thing to anyone, let alone becoming some evil mage!"
Eron doubled over.
Sarah looked down at her hands.
"...I don't want people to be afraid of me, though..."
"Sarah. Magic isn't evil. People are."
"Really? Is that how it is?"
"Of course. If you use magic to help people, they won't have a reason to be afraid."
"Okay, Master Lia."
"Me next! Me next!"
"Milena, your skills are in hand-to-hand combat. Unfortunately, you won't be able to cast much magic, but your mana is strengthening the rest of your body, making you an excellent fighter."
"You mean I can't cast magic..." Milena lamented.
"I'm sorry, but at most, you can probably imbue your weapons and armor with fire magic. I think you can learn some of the enchantment spells I know," Astra replied, trying to smooth it over.
"Aww, no fair..."
"Every party needs someone up front, Milena. Your job will be to keep enemies away from your group. Without someone like you, anyone could take down a mage before they fire off a single spell."
"Is it that important?"
"It sure is. Besides, knowing Astra, those enchantment spells are probably a bit more than just flames on a sword."
Astra had a glint in her eye.
"Hehe."
"See..." Kalia knew it.
"I'll do it, then!"
Milena proudly flexed her muscles.
"Fio, your affinity for earth magic is average, but with the low reserves of mana you have, we think you should try summoning magic since it doesn't rely solely on the caster's mana."
"Summoning magic?"
"You make contracts with beings from the Spirit Realm and call them to fight for you in battle."
"You mean like Suzuka?"
"Yeah, similar to that..."
"What's Suzuka, Master Lia?"
"Nothing special, Astra. Just an item I showed Fio."
"Can I see it?"
"Ehhhh... no. That thing is... umm... just no."
"I like the thought of being able to have all kinds of new friends!" Fio interjected, trying to divert everyone's attention, knowing full well why Kalia didn't want to bring out that monster.
"Astra here has a rather interesting summon herself. Maybe she can show you guys later."
"I can do that. Geeto has been itching for another fight with Nosra anyway."
"What about me, Master Lia?"
"Lucy, your affinity is for every type of magic, like me!" Astra announced proudly.
"E-every type?!" Lucy stared at Astra in disbelief. "I can't believe it..."
"Yep! I'll be doing a lot of your training at first. I need to make sure you can handle all the elements before I teach you any magic. I don't want you to lose control and cause an accident."
"I can't learn any spells right now...?"
"Not yet. Different mana types can interfere with one another. If they mingle before you learn to control them, the resulting backlash could be fatal. Don't worry, though. I can show you how to keep your mana stable."
Lucy lowered her gaze.
"I don't wanna hurt anyone..."
"You're in good hands with Astra here, Lucy. Trust me."
Kalia placed her hand on Lucy's head.
"If anyone can teach you, it's Astra."
"Mm-hm!" Astra nodded confidently.
"Okay!"
"Next, I'm going to give each of you a weapon."
Kalia turned toward Eron.
"For Eron, the Gleam of Dawn. This scepter was once held by the Dragon of Splendid Suns, Lulotte. For millennia, she traveled the stars to bring healing magic to anyone who might have need of it."
As Eron received the Gleam, motes of golden light drifted from its head.
"It certainly is pretty, but what could it possibly be used for as a weapon?"
Eron eyed the scepter dubiously.
"This will greatly amplify your casting range and give you far more precise control over your spells. For example, if you cast a healing spell that affects a wide area, you can instead focus the mana to a fine point. It'll greatly increase the effectiveness of your healing."
"That's incredible!"
"And as an added benefit of the extended range, we can keep you out of harm's way. A healer can't save anyone if she's surrounded by enemies."
"Given some time, you may even be able to heal fatal injuries."
"Thank you, Master Lia!"
Eron clutched the scepter, feeling its warmth radiate through her.
"For Milena, I have Cudrol's Spine. This weapon was passed down from the Grandmaster of an ancient martial arts school to a student deemed worthy of wielding its immense power and becoming the next Grandmaster."
Kalia continued, manifesting a massive silver spear and handing it to Milena.
"This is heavy, Master Lia..." Milena exclaimed, nearly falling over from its weight.
"Cudrol's Spine can change its shape and size. Try concentrating on it, and it should adjust to be perfect for you."
"Hmmm, okay."
Milena focused all her thoughts on the spear, causing it to immediately change its size to fit perfectly in her hands.
"Whoa... I did it, Master Lia!"
"Fantastic, Milena! The spear can do more than that. Its other effect is vector."
"Vector?"
"It'll be easier if I show you."
Kalia took the spear and slammed it down into the ground, leaving only a small hole where the tip struck.
"That's just a hole in the dirt, Master Lia..."
"Wait for it."
Kalia replied with a sly grin.
She concentrated on the Spine again, causing its tip to glow with a bright purple light.
"Wha..."
Milena cried out.
The very air around them grew heavy, as if an immense weight had just been placed upon them.
"M-Master L-Lia, what's going on? Everything is heavy..."
Lucy struggled to remain standing.
"What are you doing...?" Eron gritted her teeth against the mounting pressure.
"That is vector. You can change the amount of force applied to a target."
Kalia cut her concentration.
"I don't get it. Force?"
"Hmm. Think of it like this. You know how you can feel the wind blowing against you in a storm? That's essentially how vector works, except it's much more powerful. What you just felt was the Spine increasing the downward force on you."
"Ohh."
Milena nodded, having no idea what Kalia was talking about.
"You can also reverse it or move it from side to side."
Kalia demonstrated the Spine's vector abilities with a small stone, moving it through the air.
"And with practice, you can even..."
Kalia ended her thought by crushing the stone into dust.
"...apply that force from multiple directions to eliminate the target completely."
She handed the weapon back to Milena.
"However, the Spine is extremely difficult to control. It could easily level cities should the wielder let out too much of its power. You and that weapon will have to become as one if you hope to use it properly."
"Amazing... I could barely stand, and that was only a little of its power..."
"Sarah, this one is for you."
Kalia manifested a small jet-black stuffed animal.
"It's kind of creepy..."
Sarah warily eyed the toy Kalia was holding.
"Sorry about that. Imay here chooses the form its owner would like most."
Kalia passed the stuffed animal to Sarah.
"Try holding him."
"Mmm... You are different, little one. Greetings. I am Imay..."
The stuffed animal spoke in a raspy tone as Sarah reached out for him.
"Ahhh! Master Lia, it talks?!" Sarah cried, snatching her hand back.
"I guess it does... though I've never heard him speak."
Kalia was equally confused by the toy's apparent sentience.
"Indeed, Maker. I speak, and I have long waited to meet someone as interesting as this one," Imay replied. "Little girl, what is your name?"
"S-Sarah... Nice to meet you, Imay."
"Sarah? I'm looking forward to our new partnership."
Imay replied with a cold laugh.
"Imay... I will end you if you hurt her."
Kalia growled as mana sparked around her.
"I have no intention of that, Maker. I only wish to see where her life leads."
"I will always be watching... There are worse things than being stuck in the Armory," Kalia warned.
"I will keep that in mind, Maker."
Astra glanced at the stuffed animal.
"What was that about, Master Lia? That thing gives me the creeps."
"Imay isn't a normal item from my Armory. He isn't exactly evil, but he's more like a symbiote. He uses his host's mana to live."
"How could you give that thing to a child, Master?! Isn't that dangerous?!"
"Sarah may be the only person who can bring out his potential. Imay needs mana to live, but his real purpose is to find a partner. The mana is only a small part of what he seeks. His entire existence is dedicated to finding the one person who can accept him for what he is."
Kalia turned back to Sarah.
"Do you think you could be his friend, Sarah?"
Sarah nervously fiddled with her dress.
"Y-yeah, I think so..."
"Good! His powers are unique in that he can temporarily alter your body to suit any situation. Like, if you get captured, he can become armor or a weapon to help you fight."
"I see. I'll do my best, then, Master Lia. I do feel bad that he's been alone for so long..."
Imay shifted into the shape of a small fish.
You certainly are an interesting one, little girl.
"Look! He changed shape! He's a cute fishy now!" Sarah exclaimed, holding Imay.
"Look at that. I guess Imay might like you a little more already!"
Kalia beamed with satisfaction.
"If he ever causes you any problems, though, all you need to do is tell me, and I'll handle it."
"Okay, Master Lia!"
Sarah squeezed the stuffed animal to her chest.
"Fio, for you, I have The Lights of Tal. This necklace was once owned by a boy not much younger than you. It once held such promise for a bright future, only to be dimmed by the things that lurked in the shadows of his world."
Kalia turned toward her and manifested a necklace with three crystal pendants of differing colors in the center.
"Each pendant is a summon. The blue one here is Sasha, Seeker of Wind. The red one is Koga, Divine Flame, and the green one is Rina, Ascended One."
Fio carefully examined the pendant.
Each crystal sparkled in the afternoon sun.
"As you can probably guess, the first two are wind and fire spirits. The last one is akin to a god, her strength bordering on divine."
"These two can be summoned with an incantation."
Kalia pointed to the blue and red crystals.
"The blue stone houses Sasha. To call her, say: 'Where the four corners meet, the winds gather. Come to my aid, Sasha, Seeker of the Winds.'"
She then pointed to the red stone.
"The red stone is Koga. To summon him, say: 'Where corruption grows, let the flames purify. Burn for me, Koga, Divine Flame.'"
"So, the green stone is...?"
"That one is Rina. She isn't bound by incantations or the will of her user. At some point, she'll make herself known, but be ready. She can be a bit of a handful..."
"What do you mean?"
"We'll just call Rina a free spirit. Trust me, you will know when she's ready to appear."
"Huh. Okay..."
"And last but not least, Lucy. This is for you."
Kalia manifested a bright silver railgun.
Lucy examined the strange object.
"What in the world... even is this?"
"Corinne's Type-78g. A custom-made MagiSniper built by the legendary engineer Corinne S. Weisshart of the Anataria Imperial Military. An earnest, albeit clumsy, young lady who spent her days studying and inventing. There was no one who could compare to her level of craftsmanship."
Lucy cocked her head to one side.
"How is this thing a weapon, though?"
"You hold it like this."
Kalia hefted the weapon and aimed down the sights.
"It takes your mana and compresses it into a single point. Once it's charged, all you have to do is pull the trigger."
"Will this keep my magic from going crazy and backfiring, then?"
"To an extent, yes. Astra is still going to be giving you lessons, though. I don't want you to rely on it completely. As you can see, it's rather large, and it won't do you much good in tight spaces or close combat."
"Can I try using it?"
"I can let you shoot it, but let's have Astra load the mana for now."
"What should I do, then, Master Lia?"
"Channel your mana into here."
Kalia pointed to a small panel at the butt of the rifle.
A great swirl of mana whipped around Astra.
"Okies!"
"Wait!!! Only put a tiny amount into it, Astra... This thing is going to have some serious recoil."
"Ohh, boo... Fine, fine..."
Astra conceded, sending a small amount of mana from her fingertip into the gun, causing a light on the side to glow red.
"See the light there? That tells you when it's ready to fire. Hold onto it tightly and lie down. Now put your eye up to the lens here and focus it on a target, like that tree at the end of the field. When you have something targeted, pull the trigger with your finger."
"Okay."
Lucy took a breath and squeezed the trigger.
A bright beam of light at least twice Kalia's height launched from the end of the barrel and hurtled toward the far end of the field, causing a massive explosion.
Moments later, a shockwave pummeled the group, knocking them over and sending debris flying in all directions.
"Astra, I said a small amount of mana..."
Kalia grumbled, dusting off her shirt.
"I did, Master! I barely put any mana into it... I swear."
Astra replied, gazing at her feet.
"Seriously..."
Kalia stared in amazement.
Astra kicked at a pebble.
"Mm-hm..."
"Sorry for yelling at you, Astra."
Kalia soothed her, patting the girl on the head.
"Eeep."
"That was... awesome!" Lucy cried, jumping up and down. "Did you see that, Eron?!"
"Yeah, I did..." Eron whispered.
"I'm glad you like it, Lucy."
"Do the rest of you like your new weapons?"
Kalia turned to the others.
"Yeah, we do, Master Lia!"
"That's good to hear. How about a break for lunch, then?"
"Yay! Food! I'm starving!"
"When aren't you, Astra?"
"Master Lia... Why do you always tease me...?"
"Because it's cute when you get upset!" Kalia smiled.
"No, it isn't..."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Astra."
Kalia waved, leading the group back toward the house.
"Hmph!"
Astra pouted.
It's not cute...