[Chapter 12 - Sapientia Potentia Est : Wisdom is Power Pt.1]

After our journey back to the encampment it was around mid day. Now that we had escaped the enclave of trees and branches the sun could be seen shining brightly above and though not as colorful as back home the trees had returned to being in their normal autumn cycle without the influence of the mana zone.

While I tended the horses and meat my mother had disappeared. It had been a couple hours or so with her saying she would return shortly and to continue with my duties. I had finished everything relatively quickly and so I spent most of the time in the system or looking around the immediate area. Soon I spotted a figure walking up the side of the river in the direction of our camp.

"Come with me." she began to walk back the direction she came from, this time I followed her. "Hunts will only be part of your training in the 3 months we-"

"THREE MONTHS" I shouted before I even realized "You said we would be gone for a month or so?!"

"Welcome to the so part of that statement." she replied blatantly. "Over the coming winter I want you to obtain at least one new skill under your water mage class. Though that may sound daunting you are assured to acquire one after leveling sphere for the first time"

I trudged behind her. Now not only was I going to be out here three times longer than expected but I had to level and get a new skill? There was a time where I thought that might be easy, especially like when I got my first want but it's starting to become clear just how difficult all of this is really going to be. I mean i've read over all my skills repeatedly and sphere doesn't even say how to level it. My mind was starting to flood with panic and insecurities, as if she sensed it

"Do not fret, you have already begun. To level sphere you simply need to deepen your understanding. The first step of this is what I have already instructed you to do. You must learn to feel and manipulate mana like the extension of yourself that it is. This is the universal first step for all of the mage classes, with the feeling being slightly different for each as we discussed previously. Since sphere is a base skill learned by many it has the advantage of being well documented. We know that to level it the user simply needs to be able to subconsciously control the orbs movement without direction of the wand."

"Yeah, simple…" I replied weakly with slight sarcasm

"While an unnecessary remark I understand what you are saying, and I won't discredit it. This is usually a process that can take new mages upwards of a year. After all your connection to the system is still new and using a skill is a foreign and unnatural thing for your body. This is what many call the Trial of the First in regards to the challenge of leveling your first skill and unlocking a new one."

"Then how do you expect me to do it in three months?" I replied snarkily

"Because I think you may be a Magus"

"What's a Magus?" I said curiously raising my head from the slumped state it had been in

"Something that isn't relevant unless I'm right."

as she said this a break in the woods around a couple miles in radius came into view. Within it were several structures made of stone. Some looked to be making various obstacle courses while in other areas stone dummies were placed in various instances. Some were positioned behind other objects while some had trees spread around in a cluster. As well as this there was a small pond with various stones and wood pieces seemingly floating atop the surface. It was a full on training grounds.

As my eyes darted around scanning the various different things we reached the edge.

"So if you want to know then prove me right. Advance sphere by the end of our time here and I will give you your answer."

"Deal!"

She grinned"Do not get cocky. As well as this we will still have hunts some days as long as the daily physical exercise and dagger combat you will start. Ki skill or not it is still important for mages to be agile and prepared with high stamina. In the event your distance is closed you do not want to be left utterly defenseless."

"Understood" I nodded

"Good. Now follow" we walked over to an area of open grass. In a cluster were 8 stone dummies with matching runes etched into them. They were spread various distances from one another but were in a radius of 50 feet or so.

"You're recovery time in combat has already improved but it is still not fluid. As expected the feeling of manipulating mana in general is still new and unnatural. As a result of that you are having to constantly maintain concentration that can be used elsewhere. Professional mages use and control multiple skills at once as well as using them in rapid succession. That cannot be achieved if you are busy using your full brain power to direct the first skill you used."

"That makes sense I replied"

"Good. These stone dummies have been imbued with several different magics as well as a weak soulstone. They won't last forever but they also won't break on the first hit either. For 3 minutes they are all going to try to kill you. When you hit them with an attack they will deactivate for three seconds. If you don't want to collapse of exhaustion from running and slinging your arm, or get a full stone fist to the face, I suggest you learn to manipulate that sphere without your wand".

"Wait they're going to do what?!"

"Begin" as she firmly spoke, the stone dummies began to crack and rumble as they sprung to life. They had the appearance of knights and stood around 6 feet in height with broad builds contrast to my 5 foot and scrawny body. As they each began to step and raise their arms one after the other some began to gain momentum. Starting as a slow walk they quickly began to break into full on sprints in my direction. The ground thudded each time their stone feet slammed into the green carpet below them. These were no longer dummies but fully fledged golems, and if I didn't start acting quickly they would surely pummel me to death.