Blessed Teachings - 1

[Gabriel pov]

I felt the presence disappear, that ultimate perfection. Who seemed so attuned with the world, to the point that not even my sight could withstand the force of her power. Blinded to the sheer color of her soul.

And when I took one last look, fighting through the negative emotions to restore my sight, she was gone. The room I sat in empty save for a single book. A schedule that placed importance on several dates and locations.

For what else could this be but a plan. Places and subjects for me to learn beyond those general classes of mine.

Yet thinking of those brought me back to reality, my steps hurrying through those hollowed walkways and picturesque sceneries.

All until I finally found myself once again within that lecture hall. Making it to the seat that I had sat in just before.

"I see that most of you…" She turned her gaze through the classroom, looking at specific students before moving her gaze elsewhere, "Have found a personal tutor, or a class to attend in addition to my own."

Some nodded and others cast their gazes downwards, utterly ashamed of themselves. 

"Find no fault within yourselves, it was merely destined for talentless runts like you all to fail." 

Her words were harsh. Enough that one part of me wanted to exclaim that she was wrong, that I knew the value of their lives. 

That I knew enough to proclaim that they had value, that they had talent. But another part of me merely let this discretion go. Placing it within my heart.

And with that the lesson continued. Placing importance on the true basics. 

Telling of the mages who sat within their towers, creating spells to further innovate and create wondrous creations that gave life to cities.

Of the druids who cared for the plants, for the cities within and the creatures that inhabited it. Always purifying the water and food that we ate. And even more than that… a line of defense against those very creatures that they protected.

Lecturing of the masters of the sword… of the spear… of the bow… of every single weapon. Who with a single strike could cleave cities.

A careful balance between the three factions, where each kept the other in check. Knights who served the lords of the manors and cities, protecting them from invasion within.

The mages who innovated and kept their noses out of worldly desires. Rare was it to ever even see one. For they stood within their towers, merely taking the money and using it to further the economy in order to gather more materials for their own creations.

An endless cycle that both benefited themselves and the people below them. For with every purchase money was placed back into the economy, a healthy cycle.

And finally the druids, they were a reclusive bunch. For they preferred to be within nature. However what was known of them, to the common man at least, was that they served their forests, their lands and within those tamed beasts and plants alike.

Yet that was all the public knew of them.

It was why I was so interested when the topic came about. Of how they participated within combat, or how they contributed to society.

The former was hard to judge as even within this prestigious academy there were precious few that had the talent to learn from the resident druid. However what was known was that they relied on raising animals and plants.

Like Lyra… was she a druid?

I shook my head and focused on the latter half.

It was known that the druids purified water and food, but it was unknown why they did such a thing. Was there some kind of underlying benefit?

It was a question I desperately wanted answered.

"That is all for today… We have run out of time and as such I will continue in the next week. Be prepared."

With that last word she waved her hand, an aura of something appearing and cleaning up her teaching aids. And with the disappearance of the last, so too did she leave. 

I looked down, one hand ghosting upon the necklace I had been given and the other touching the paper I had written upon.

Feeling the pages of notes I had made, almost unconsciously.

…

And when the door opened, a tired soul entering through the darkened hall, her face scrunched into one of focus. Intently staring at some manner of scroll. Whatever it may be.

I turned, letting Titania climb over my shoulder. Letting the food that I held be placed down on the dining table. Leading Lyra over to it by her hand. 

"Thanks…" She grumbled, her voice low and tiresome. I frowned, it was likely that she had gone on some mission, likely the same thing that she had taken me to within the first day.

And thinking of such I hurried from the other side of the table, allowing her to see the frown upon my face. More than enough time for Titania to leap from my shoulder and start on her own food.

"Wha-" Lyra tried to say, only to be stopped as I forcefully grabbed her hand. Closing my eyes slightly, a scrunched expression consuming my face as I healed her of all of her ailments.

Of the slight wounds that she had accumulated. Of every cut and stab that she had taken. But most importantly I healed her exhaustion, that bone deep tiredness that kept her down. And when I was done. I felt it all.

Every speck of pain and exhaustion that she felt. All in the span of a moment. But I merely let it wash over me with a smile over my face. Sitting down and picking up my own utensils, eating without ever touching upon my own pain.

And when I was done, when the food was properly digested within my stomach. No longer could I contain my curiosity - no matter how bad I felt about leveraging my own power - I still asked.

"Lyra"

"Yes, did you need something Gabriel?"

I nodded and stood up, leaning against her shoulder and whispering my desire within her ear.