Chapter LIV: Student's Woes

(Minthara's pov)

I leave the clothes shop feeling far more dead inside than when I first arrived. Glancing at my. boss? master? I am not sure actually... I note that he is as relaxed as when we first arrived.

I cannot help but ask cautiously "Is she..."

"Always such a complete and utter bitch to everyone and anyone?" He quips cheerfully and waves me off "Don't worry, she wasn't being an ass due to your heritage, she is just a very sour old woman who probably needs a proper lay before she goes insane."

I blink rapidly and after a moment narrow my eyes "And why was she so respectful to you?"

"Why that is because I give her money." is his immediate and dry answer.

Well... he isn't wrong...

(Reyvin's pov)

I whistle cheerfully as I lead my newest to- *cough* student back to the tower, She is definitely dead tired but there is an almost supernatural determination in her eyes as she forces herself not to appear weak or whiny.

Least I could expect of a bloody demigod I guess.

That determination naturally cracks the moment she notices just how many bloody stairs await us, She sends me a pleading, desperate look, but my relaxed smirk merely widens showing my ritual-twisted canines.

I do have to admit I almost felt sorry for her when she noticed me levitating slightly above the steps, so I decided to be merciful and levitated her as well, eliciting a relaxed yawn the moment I lifted her.

I shake my hand lazily, making her jerk around in the air while letting out a surprised yelp "No sleeping just yet, I have a couple more things to show you."

She groans "Fine, just st*ugh*op"

I still my hand and continue walking up, soon we reach the peak and I enter one of the empty rooms, after levitating her down carefully I say "This will be your home during your stay, it is usually reserved for Court Mages but I believe Torygg will grant me enough leeway for you to remain here."

She stands up and dusts off her new clothes while looking around, and immediately gapes, completely stunned "This-" her head snaps my way "All my siblings could live here!" She says excitedly.

"No." I say firmly.

"Bu-"

"No." I repeat, with greater force "We do actually do some serious work up here and a bunch of children would not be acceptable." I shrug "Besides, I am already pushing on Sybille's patience by letting you stay here."

She looks away a bit ashamed at asking too much too quickly and asks "That is the name of your colleague?"

I nod.

"She doesn't seem to like me does she?" She asks carefully.

I wave her off "She is just a bit grouchy your arrival interrupted our morning, don't worry she won't eat you.... probably."

"Ah, well that is good..." Her eyes snap to mine "Wait what do you mean probably!?"

I smile mysteriously "Let us hope you never get to find out." and before she can press "Now for the last thing, follow me." I leave without waiting for a response and soon hear steps fall in behind me.

I lead her to my own chambers and almost facepalm when I realize I completely forgot to clean the place up. Across the entire place lay strewn a bout a bunch of Dwemer animonculus parts of my own creation, a large metal bow with an equally metal string being the most eye-catching among them.

"What is all of this?" My student asks.

"Not relevant right now." I say while moving a couple of parts off the spell circle in the middle of the room "The story behind those bits is a long and interesting one, so I will leave it for when we have time for a longer chat."

She seems satisfied by this and tilts her head while examining everything.

I dust off my hands after I am done and offer my right to her "Take my hand please."

She gives me a suspicious look, but after a moment does as asked.

"Oh, and I should mention." A wicked grin spreads on my face as I activate the spell "You really should not have eaten that street meat."

She only has time for her eyes to widen comically as the space around us twists around itself and launches us across the province. One moment we are atop the Blue Palace, and the next we are in my mansion in Winterhold.

I feel a bit woozy but I already got used to the feeling so it isn't nearly as bad as the first time. 

Minthara on the other hand... has fallen unconscious.

Fuck.

Alright, the time for joking around is over. I quickly cast a couple of restoration spells on her and slap her lightly a couple of times to wake her up.

Her eyes slowly open and she blinks rapidly.

"You alright there?"

"Go fuck yourself." She says in a tired tone as she glares at me.

I wince "Yeah, I probably deserve that." I raise my hands placatingly "Don't worry I've had my fun for now."

(Minthara's pov)

Did he 'recruit' me merely to torment me?! Seriously!?

"I already said I was sorry." He grumbles and suddenly halts "Ah, yes." he nods to himself and pulls out a vial from somewhere, and offers it to me.

Is he trying to humiliate me again? I give him a skeptical look.

He rolls his eyes "Just drink it, it is a potent stamina potion that should get you on your feet after all that."

Throwing potions around just like that... *Sigh* Not much of a choice I guess. I grab the vial and gulp it down, immediately feeling refreshed like I had a long night of sleep.

He nods to himself "Good, follow me." And once again leaves without a care.

I really want to punch him in the face, but remembering how he stood before an entire band of Nords without flinching stops any of those ideas in their infancy.

He leads me outside and I finally notice that we are in a very different place, most notably the moment we step outside the cold feels far harsher on my skin than it does in Solitude.

I turn to Reyvin and ask "Where are we?"

He smirks "Winterhold."

My eyes widen "Wi-Winterhold!?" I hiss "How in oblivion are we on the other end of Skyrim!?"

His smirk remains "You will learn, if you are willing."

Annoying little... "Why are we here?"

"I wish to show you another aspect of your study under me and I thought I might as well check on my workers."

"Your.... workers?"

He nods proudly and points toward a rather large wealthy looking building "Sea-ghost's respite, one of the most luxurious inns and bathhouses in Skyrim, founded and funded by yours truly."

"Speaking of." He pipes up suddenly "We might as well go and grab a meal while we are here."

He leads me toward the building, passing by multiple Dunmer, who upon seeing him bow respectfully as he hails them all by name... At least he isn't a dickhead to his workers...

And what follows next is the best Divines damned meal I've ever had, all manner of meats and cheeses with wine imported from who knows where. And he just chose to have this kind of thing casually?!

I know it is his place but still...

He notices my discomfort and sighs "You shouldn't let your past hold you back from enjoying your new-found fortune."

My left eyebrow goes up "Your fortune you mean?"

He scoffs "Oh please, you will become a respectable mage under my tutelage within a year tops, meaning that this kind of meal will be the norm, not whatever celebratory exception you may be picturing."

"Bu-" I go to explain myself but he raises a hand.

"But nothing." He frowns "You should accept that you have been given an opportunity to rise above whatever unfortunate past you were saddled with, don't let it hold you down and grasp your new life with both hands."

I want to refute his words but his stern look stops me in my tracks.

I shake my head. He probably already knows whatever foolishness I was about to say and would just consider it childish whining. Chin up Minthara, you are more mature than this.

He seems to notice my understanding and nods to himself "Now that we are nice and rested it is time for the final lesson of the day."

We walk out of the establishment, with him receiving respectful and cheerful greetings from the residents and even salutes from the guardsmen, and myself receiving looks of curiosity and... jealousy?

I am led through a gate and we soon leave the city.

"Where are we headed?" I cannot help but ask.

"Just around the corner there." He points at a small hill in the distance.

Soon we are standing above an icy cliff face.

Reyvin takes a deep breath as a peaceful smile spreads on his face "Can you feel it?" He asks in a tone lacking all his previous playfulness or mockery.

"Feel what?" I frown in confusion.

"Just... breathe." His voice itself is as peaceful as his expression.

Alright... I guess I can try? I close my eyes and take a deep breath, and suddenly almost as if caressing me the wind slows down around me and I almost feel like it warmed the air just to make me more comfortable.

I flinch away in a panic and look around frantically "What just happened?!" I blurt out.

Reyvin laughs at my reaction, but there is relief in his eyes "Good, you can feel it."

"Fell what?"

"Why Kyne's breath of course." He smirks.

What is he on about? My eyes narrow "I didn't take you for a priest."

"I am too handsome to be a priest." He says without a hint of shame.

My eye twitches.

Before I can ask again he raises a hand "Did you ever wonder why they call me Flame-tongue?"

I frown and hold back an eyeroll "What does your honor-name have to do with Kyne's breath?"

"Everything." He states and turns his gaze to the cliff face "Allow me to demonstrate."

He takes a deep breath, the feeling of the wind caressing the both of us intensifies as his eyes snap open and he shouts "YOL!" and a massive wave of searing flames explodes outwards, melting all of the snow around us.

(Reyvin's pov)

Even without wearing it Potema's soul comes in clutch. I smile at my progress in the thu'um and finally start considering using full shouts, as middle words are usually just there to balance the power and not enhance it it should be possible with my crown.

I hear a breath hitching to my side... Ah yes, the infantile demigod.

I turn my eyes to her and before I can say anything she blurts out "What the fuck?! How in the hell can you use the thu'um!?"

Good, she heard of it at least. I smirk "That doesn't really matter." her eyes narrow in irritation "What does matter however... is that I am going to teach you how to do it." 

And for the first time since I have met her I notice a new kind of expression in her eyes.

Greed.

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