Magic Circuits and Apprentice
It wasn't long before we were inside the room designated for the ritual. Shirou had designed the spell circle based on the Clock Tower's version. I also chipped in with Arrodes adding in some symbols from his home universe. He called it Ancient Hermes which i could vaguely remember being one of the languages in his universe. Now it was about to undergo a third revision as Granny Viola checked it out.
"So this line of text is supposed to help in the directing of the energy to make it as non- threatening, correct? So, Why In Oblivion! Does the energy necessary need to be at any at all malicious. Magicka is adaptable by its nature. Here well add some of the Aedric runes for the restoration school. It should combat the pain necessary for the awakening. And what is this other scribble here?" Pointing to Arrodes submission.
"Its there to account for the nature of my Soul and body not being the same and to compensate as well as adjust for the changes that i will probably undergo." Arrodes had at least been a bit responsible when he interrupted my dreams to put forth his little suggestion. Though, he was a bit spiteful how i never considered it.
"Fine, Let me make a few adjustments it shouldn't take all that long considering." and with that she waved. The sight just stunned me as the ink and runes we used slowly moved the air and adjusted themselves. The overall layout wasn't changed too much from before but the Magicka in the air seemed to feel more at ease. With her changes, it made the spell circle resonate more with the world instead of fighting it. She was a Master Arcmage indeed.
"What happened?" was all i could say while gaping in awe of the surroundings. "Your Ritual Circle was accounting for a variety of things not in this world. The main of which is the stars. Since they were originally not in alignment with your circle i fixed that first. Then came using Dedric and Aedric runes to harmonize the languages used. Since they carry conceptual meaning they could act as buffers. Finally it was adding a few more connections within the circle. This allowed it to be more complete and thus you have the harmony within this room now." She stood with a smug smile as she recounted her changes. Not that i could blame her either.
"Now go on in and meditate. The ritual is ready now." With her command i walked inside while being careful not to step on any lines. When i was inside the center i summoned Arrodes and placed him on my head. "Ready."
With my words she crouched down and touched a small circle that was situated on the outside of the circle. When she flooded the circle with her Magicka it stilled the entirety of the air in the room. The spell circle light up as the Magicka flowed through it. When it was full, I closed my eyes. The feeling was like a trickle dripping inside of me. Then as if startled, it released the pressure. A flood moved inside of me. My perception slowed down as it reached deep inside of me. Then when it went the deepest it could go a spark ignited.
A rush went through me as many things happened. First was the activation of me turning into an Apprentice. The mutations spread my awareness around myself. This time i was awake for the changes in my body. The feeling of another limb as my new powers were settling. Only for the sting and burning sensation to erupt as My circuits were brought to life. They coursed through my skin as i could vaguely feel myself attempt to scream in pain. The feeling of ants crawling under my skin as they imbedded themselves inside. They were much stronger then some of my memories suggested. The mutation did work to mitigate some of the changes.
My pain was short lived from my perspective. With no real way of keeping track at least. But the end of the ritual came and with it relief. With warm energy coursing through me to sooth the aches. There was not much to actually heal but they did reduce the former. With some semblance of stability i could open my eyes now. I will freely admit to exhaustion. My body felt great, energetic even. But my mind just wanted to rest. feeling my perspective change as i was being lifted up i realized i was lying face down. A look at my arm showed the blue crossing Magic Circuits as they weaved in my arm. They slowly dimmed as I began to become more aware of that around me.
Shirou was carrying me. Granny Viola was saying something to him as well. Couldn't quite keep up as my brain was still adjusting and waking up. The first bit of clear words soon came as we entered my room.
"Let him rest, The changes i felt through this ritual, while beneficial, were a lot. Not to mention that he bore that painful process for close to half an hour. In the meantime you have those books. Use them well as i go and deal with my accommodations. I'll see you tonight at the Inn if he's up for it. I will say a good side effect as i was studying those Magic Circuits was to add knowledge to them. I was able to add some translations of Aedric and Dedric while i was operating that Circle. While you both speak Tamrielic i noticed a few deficiencies in how he used it. This should also help. Those damn things. They are brilliant to have but the process why whatever they were made from is flawed to oblivion and back."
I was set on my bed and they walked away. When the door closed and i was left alone i felt around and gripped the pillow. Dragging it and curling up, I'm so glad that shit is done with. Fuck you whoever decided to make these things painful. While i could feel I was still sore most of the initial pain was gone. for now my little body needs sleep and so I will have it!
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(General Pov)
"Glad that's over with now. The initial activation is the worst." Shirou said. Granny Viola was quick to respond though. "While it might be over for the initial activation i can also tell that using them also causes pain or at the very least discomfort correct?"
With a sigh Shirou said in response, "That would be the price we have to pay to be able to use the magic around us. They act as a bridge as well as a secondary brain. Keeping our spells as well as housing our magic in our bodies. With his mutations though i believe that can be mitigated. He has explained how much that hat of his is capable of to me."
With a bit of surprise Viola said, "If that is so then i guess he will be alright. At the end of the day he is still a child. Though he will probably be able to avoid using those circuits whenever using our Magicka system. This is due to the Magicka residing in a separate pool from the Mana you use. Though they are similar they have their differences in how they can be used. Magicka seems more like a force, While Mana, To me, seems more like a conductor. Even the spell circle earlier was in line with this principal."
"(Sigh), Yeah that's accurate. I'll admit i wasn't the greatest Magus while i was alive so i know the basics but beyond that both of you are on your own when it comes to the more esoteric stuff." The sigh of defeat in his voice.
"Cheer up young man, at the end of the day you have risen to have a legend. Even if you weren't a mage of some great caliber there was plenty you do have. With that small world i could only imagine the many weapons you could have. Not to mention the bit where you can use all of them."
"At the end of the day I'm just a copycat. Not even a good one." Shirou said while pouring more tea for the both of them now that they were sitting back at the table.
"A copycat? an interesting expression. But young man, I will just tell you this. People have been copying others for millennia. They have just tweaked those skills later down the line to fit themselves. So if you really know all of those different styles then pick them apart. What works for you? That is the question. Even in my younger days when i wielded a sword and my magic in High Rock against those uppity bastards of their knightly orders, I learned from them how they used their alteration magic and bodies as one. Still hold a legend there as i was the first female to put them in place since their inception. Still wouldn't allow me to join even after i beat them to a pulp." With a chuckle of mirth following her statement.
"It will take some time, Azarius already gave me the advice as well. He said i should start with forging, but i just don't know what to make." Leaning back he stared at the celling.
"Then why not make something for him? I saw his little drawing of a dagger he created on his desk. Anything he told you about it?" A thoughtful look as she said so.
"He want's to make it a Magical Foci so he's still choosing how it will be made. From Materials to style, he wants to cover it all before its made. As far as i know he just has down the shape and size of it."
"Then make him a place holder. It does not need to channel magics yet. Let him use it to train. He will need to move his body around and something to defend himself is always welcome in our world. Most Nord kids pick up their first sword at the age of 5 winters. The boy being trained is an eventual thing, no need to complicate things." she said with a wave. In her days with her clan she would have been training since the early days of her childhood.
"Make it like he want's his Foci would be. If he want's it altered he just needs to consult you so when he finally make his real weapon he would not be needing to readjust to much. How about it young man?"
"Sigh, Its better than whatever i was thinking. Besides that it will probably kickstart me actually filling in this shop."
"A fair assumption, My recommendation would be that if you are good enough make the priority of your business as custom orders. I can tell you are similar to the forge clans back in Skyrim. They instead are a lot more prideful of their work so they could chose who to forge for. A good option for your hesitancy."
"I'll Think about it, Thank you for your counsel Madam Viola."
"Pay it no heed young man. Teaching others has been something long forgotten among my people. But the Nords have been among the best teachers when it comes to the Forge, War, and Magics. Even if those Elves and Bretons say otherwise. No clue of the future now though with this whole crisis over."
As she got up Shirou moved to help her. "Its fine, I may be old but I'm still moving fine. You think on that and I'll go take care of my business. Not that it's all that much now. Be sure to crack open that book of runes while you are contemplating. Who knows, you might find some help thinking with it. Divines know I've spent my fair share in contemplation."
As she got to the stairs Shirou said, "Have a good evening, Madam."
"And to you as well young man."