Finally Magic!

With his impromptu visit over, Akatosh left. It was a interesting feeling to know he could just drop by like that. Probably couldn't do it often but still. And i was back to being alone again until Shirou came back at least. 

After that there wasn't much excitement. With Shirou's new job and with me hanging around the tavern we became pretty popular very quickly. Shirou for his food and me for my curiosity. Going around from table to table to ask about the various people was interesting. The Nightingale Inn, despite being primarily a Nord owned tavern, had quite the interesting clientele. This also led to me making some new partners. 

Sitting across from me was a Khajiit. Swift-Paw was his given name. What was really interesting about him was he was one of the rarely seen Khajiit outside of Eleswer. He was an Alfiq-Raht furstock, as he let me know. He was an old one as well. Originally was part of the imperial army as a spy, when he retired he sought the imperial city as his residence instead of returning to Eleswer. He looked just like a larger orange tabby, if you discounted his trademark little cape and hat he kept on. most of the patrons kept away from him but i was able to make a friend of him. This also led to me knowing about Khajiit caravans which we could trade with potentially with him as a middle man.

Another interesting encounter was an Altimer. Since the man had married a Nord woman she brought him with to the Inn. Funny enough as he said he was very much an outlier for his kind. He was a warrior and a bard instead of a mage. Having been taught at the Bard's college of Solitude. Since he didn't have much talent when it came to Magic as compared to his race he sought out another form and was trained in the lute. I asked him an interesting question i remembered from another "Skyrim" story, "Why not mix your music with magic?"

The way his eyes lit up was a sight to see. I maybe woefully ignorant on how magic works but, i knew tonal magic was a thing. It took his wife bonking his head to calm down enough to drink in my honor. She was also a bard and her specialty was her voice. They were adorably cute together and even the other Nords were teasing them. Not to mention their performances. 

Another interesting encounter in these two days was a Dunmer. Unlike most of the patrons he wasn't there for the fun of the tavern. He let it slip that he was not in the nicest of professions. He slipped when he sat at the bar and a pickpocket attempted to try and mark him. Almost started a bar fight right then and there with his practically dismantling of the poor sod's "Na'wah cant even keep his hands clean" he said. The end result was an exchange of greetings that most would not understand. Greta had come on the scene and whispered "shadows hide you", while the Dunmer stated a bit in surprise. "secrets keep you."

And then there's me who they both turn to when i came upon them after their exchange. fun times... in the end we got all settled and i got to ask questions of the Dunmer. Its not everyday you can ask about their culture without holding back. He was surprised when he mentioned the Dedric Gods and i wasn't off put by it. After explaining to him that many people have differing beliefs and the considerable stories of their worship in Morrowind they have their reasons to follow them. I also noticed my intuition was somewhat confused when he was around. When i asked him about it he said, "To keep secrets, My lady's will is through us. So my guess young sera is she hides me from you."

That was enough of existential terror from what most likely was a Morong Tong. The two nights of such were helpful in gathering information and also correcting a few things about the different gods as well. Taverns really are the best information hubs.

With the morning of the third day our little home welcomed a new presence. With a strong knock of the door i hurried from the living room down the stairs. I was enjoying a cup of herbal tea since there weren't any easy to find tea leaves beforehand. Shirou on the other hand was in the forge since he was working up the courage to make something new.

Opening the door i was greeted by a different sight than that of the high priestess but no less grand. She wore a blue mages robe with black reliefs and trim throughout it. It also hummed with Magicka as she kept her hands together in the sleeves. "Good morning, apprentice." And the voice of my master confirmed it. A cheeky smile on my face as i said, "Good morning, Master." and opened the way for her. "Right this way we can get settled on the second floor after i lock up." She was finally here, and i could finally learn magic.

With us retiring to the second floor i prepped another of the little herbal teas. They really did taste nice and we didn't have very many fancy things. She was surprised with how things looked and showing her to the table was interesting as she sat down. a quick message via mind link to Shirou and he was soon on his way.

"So, before we go any further i will need an explanation of who you are apprentice." And as i was sitting down across from her about to spew our backstory we worked on for the past few days she said, "Your actual origins, Apprentice. If I'm going to teach you i need this much." Shirou joined us at that moment from the stairs.

"Fair... it's too bad because we really worked hard on it too." i said with a pout. It really was a good story all things considered. "Random kids don't have a Deities presence lingering around child." Hmm? a remnant from when Akatosh visited. "Yeah, that's fair. So you don't wanna know the fake backstory we prepared?" Her lips twitched at my little jest. "Lets just get this over with." 

"Alright, So... where to start." looking over at Shirou who now had his own little tea i said, "I guess the main deal is we aren't from Mundus." "Mundus? not oblivion?" she asked with a raised eyebrow at me. I knew my terminology now thank you very much. "Correct, we are from outside the dimensions of mundus. The easiest way to explain it is there are many different little forms of Mundus. They can be unique on their own and hold different gods, cultures, races, and powers. Due to their being unique, they are also very separated. In the case of Mundus you most likely have the void as the main separation of the different universes.  That along with time and space." 

"So you traveled through all of that?" A skeptical look on her face. "Yup, completely thanks to my hat." As i pulled it from thin air. "Strange how I can't feel anything from it?" "I'd say that's pretty normal considering he is a sentient artifact." I answered. yeah... she paused for a second on that one, murmured a quick "I'm to old for this shit..." before continuing, "Well no matter what, I did decide you would be my apprentice. I won't back down from that. Not to mention it could be a bit of fun for these old bones, hmm?"

She sighed before moving on. considering we were expecting a lot more questions regarding everything i was kinda surprised by how nonchalant she was taking it. "Alright, how much do you know about Magicka?" hmm, so textbook answer? "I think its a metaphysical energy that is infused into all living things from the hole in Atherius. It's nature is to be very versatile as it can be manipulated into several different schools of thought." is what i answered.  

"Decent theory boy, few things you left out. While yes it does come from the "Holes" ,as in multiple, they are a result of the other gods leaving in the process of what is recognized as Lorkan's betrayal of the Et'Ada or Aedra as they are know was. They who left were followers of Magnas. In their wake they left the stars. This is where all Magicka is from. The versatile nature of Magicka comes from how it interacts with each individual. Always remember Boy, No two spells are ever the same. No matter if i give you the same spell as your brother how you each define the spell will fundamentally change it, Even if they look and act the same on the surface." 

Taking a sip of her tea she continued, "In training in Magicka, the nature of your spells will shape how your Magicka affects the world. Case in point, What do you feel coming from my presence?" Taking a sip of my own and closing my eyes to think and also to feel it was there. A breeze in the wind, yet a torrent of light stood in front of me. "Light shining across everything but comforting in its presence, There's also wind to accompany it." Was my answer. An intrigued smile on her face she continued, "As in old age i have sought comfort in the restoration arts of Magicka. In more my youth winds were at my beck and call. While i know the spells of other schools of thought, as you called them, my Magicka in my body has changed to accommodate my main spells. It changes to aid the mage to better utilize it."

"There are three forms to casting spells. Note the difference in the wording boy. Spells are the act of magic upon the world or yourself. Magicka itself is split into two forms. There is the Manipulation form and the Circle form. Typically a mage utilizes both forms. Their main form of magic is the result of their attainments in Manipulation. This is done by using the Dedric rune that resonates the most with the change you hope to manipulate. Through one rune you control the force. In my case i utilize one such rune to change and control the wind. This is done through my willpower and imagination. Thus, understand boy chose your runes carefully. Any questions?" 

"For the manipulation, does the rune follow the element or the concept of one?" that was the burning question that came to mind as i was hearing this. "A fair question, I'll just say its personal. After all, its you and your Magicka that must resonate. if its the Element or the Concept of the Element that resonates more than the other that's YOUR answer." "Thank you, Master" 

"Your welcome, and having a smart student is nice. Even if your brother is more like a block of wood." "hey... i can't be that bad... right?" he turned to me for asking that last bit. "Yeah... lets go with that." considering he never went past the basic's in Magecraft i even question that.

"Nevertheless, The second form of casting Magicka resides in spell circles. These are runic circles created to accomplish a spell. This is honestly the most common form of casting as it is the easiest to learn. The main priority for this form of casting is the memorization of a spell circle. When the spell is learned and understood, it will engrave itself within the person. This allows the mage to use the spell at will but at the downside of not being nearly as versatile as the manipulation form."

She held out her teacup to Shirou as i just noticed he was moving about with a kettle in his hand. "You can still manipulate the spell and its instructions the more you use the spell. They way this works is upon building a runic circle it becomes a set of instructions. These instructions use your Magicka as fuel to complete the spell. Then your spell will materialize. The warnings behind this form of casting is as soon as you "Choose" the spell you are going to use it will materialize a form on your hands. This is where you see Mages with their hands on fire when they wish to cast even a simple flame spell."  

"How does the circle get engraved and how does it feel?" Smirking at my question she answered, "The feeling of learning a new magic is simple, the mage in question will feel the circle they completed is whole and it will resonate. This process will also change how your Magicka in your body reacts so it is judged by most mages that one builds a foundation of spell circles of the school they wish to Master in. This would help in the future for manipulation as they have their toes wet so to say. I personally believe the opposite as their foundation is marred by the different and sometimes conflicting spells. So understand we will start with manipulation when we truly begin. Any idea what you would want your rune to be? It can be anything since we are just focusing on trying to manipulate Magicka." 

There really wasn't any other answer considering my whole mage path was to surround it. "It will have to be "Door".