While he wasn’t focusing on me, I tried pushing on my own newly-formed Carnelian aura, trying to get it to move into a blade shape. Predictably, it didn’t respond in the slightest.
I’d only had a shroud at all for about a day, and I had no idea how to use it properly.
Marissa had been using a shroud since she’d earned her attunement — she was a Guardian, and shroud manipulation was their specialty. It made sense that she’d be able to pick up on a shroud-based technique more quickly than I could.
Still, I was a little disappointed. I always seemed to be one step behind.
More like five steps, if I compared myself to Derek or Tristan. Those comparisons were even less fair, but that didn’t stop my miserable brain from making them.
But just because I couldn’t learn the same thing that Marissa could as quickly didn’t mean that I had nothing to learn from Keras. “If you’re willing to consider me a student as well, Keras, I’d like to learn more about how your magic works.”
He turned his head toward me and blinked, seemingly just remembering that I was present.
“Oh, Corin. Hrm. I can tell you some theory, I suppose, but I don’t think you’d be able to cast anything. Same problem as I mentioned to Marissa — you don’t have the right types of mana. But if she can come up with a way to do something similar with her own mana, I suppose you might be able to apply some of my theory as well?” He shrugged. “I’ll give it a try. It’s worthwhile if it helps you protect yourself. I can’t be with you all the time.”
I found the implications of that a little demeaning, but I knew what he meant. “I’d appreciate anything you’d be willing to teach.”
Marissa was staring at Keras in wordless…admiration, maybe?…so I continued. “When do you think you might be able to start?”
“Let’s plan to discuss things a bit more tomorrow. Today’s sparring…left me in poor spirits. Talking to you both has helped a bit, but I need some time to myself to clear my mind. I’ll also need to think about what lessons might be useful to you. I’ll see if I can think of anything that would be applicable to both of you, but I may need to train you each separately, at least on some things.”
We both nodded. “Thanks, Keras. I appreciate the help.”
Marissa bowed again, still looking a little awkward. “Aye, uh, thanks…” And then she disappeared back into the house.
Keras frowned. “What a strange girl. Quite talented, but strange.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t know if she’s the strange one, Keras.”
He looked at me and tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“When you walk up close to someone and tell them that they’re beautiful — or I suppose, that their sword-hand aura is beautiful,” I rolled my eyes for emphasis, “They might take that as a bit…flirtatious?”
“Oh.” He put a hand to his forehead. “Oh, dear. I, uh, isn’t she a bit young to be thinking of me in that way?”
I pointed a finger at him. “You’re the one who called her beautiful, not me. You can sort it out.”
He turned his head skyward. “I think I’m just going to leave the matter alone and hope she forgets about it. She probably understands I was just complimenting her martial prowess.”
I was definitely not the world’s leading expert on relationships. Until recently, I had always assumed that my lack of desire for sex meant I’d never be interested in anything romantic at all.
I was just starting to figure out that sexual and romantic interests could be distinct…and then I’d blown up my love interest.
Oops.
So, my qualifications for this kind of thing? Not outstanding. I was D-ranked Quartz in romantic understanding at best. Even then, I could tell that Keras was being hilariously naïve about this.
Maybe it was mean of me, but I was tickled by seeing an unstoppable force of nature acting completely befuddled about how to deal with a teenaged girl.
I chuckled too and headed back toward the house. “Good luck with that.”
I was still grinning when I pulled up a chair next to the table where Sera and Patrick were playing Valor.
Sera was winning, of course. She had already taken seven of his pieces off the board, and he’d only managed to take three of hers.
Patrick was smiling, though, so at least he was having a good time.
Of course, he knew Sera was amazing at Valor.
He also knew she was probably upset about her inability to speak — especially since that directly impacted her ability to use magic.
The more I thought about it, the more I was certain that he’d picked this activity deliberately to let her feel better.
Patrick was an amazing retainer.
He glanced at me as I sat down. “You look pleased about something.”
I chuckled again. “Oh, I think Keras accidentally gave Marissa a bit of a crush, is all.”
Sera turned toward me, raising an eyebrow and using a ‘come hither’ gesture to indicate she wanted more information.
“Nothing scandalous, he just complimented her on being able to shape her aura into a blade after watching him do it once. If you saw her blushing, though—”
Sera narrowed her eyes at me.
I raised my hands defensively. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to tease her about it. Probably.”
She glared harder.
“Okay, definitely. Fine, fine. I can even make sure she knows he’s like… probably super old? I’m honestly not sure.”
“I’d guess about twenty-five,” Patrick offered.
I shrugged. “Could be twenty-five thousand for all we know. I don’t think he’s human.”
Sera nodded vehemently at that. Interesting. Did she pick up on something I hadn’t?
As a Summoner, she probably had more insight into how monsters worked. I’d have to ask her… Oh, right. Well, she could write something down.
Patrick glanced back at Sera. “Alas, a forbidden love. Like my love for you, Sera.”
Sera snorted, then made a vaguely heart-shaped gesture in her hands…and broke it apart.
Patrick laughed and moved his piece on the board, taking one of hers. “That’s for breaking my second-best heart!”
She brought her hand up to her mouth, and I heard the faintest wheeze coming through her lips. Apparently, that was all she could manage for a laugh right now.
That worried me a bit, but at least they both were smiling. I’d worried a bit that they’d lose their friendship after Sera had shot Patrick down about going to the winter ball, but they seemed as close as ever.
Good.
I stood back up. “Good luck to you both. Maybe I’ll play the winner later.”
Patrick groaned. “Don’t wander off too far, then. At this rate, that won’t take very long.”
I patted him on the shoulder. “You can play her best three out of four first. I’ve got some work to do.”
I got dressed in my uniform. It wasn’t in the best of shape after all the insanity in the tower, but I didn’t have a full change of clothes here. I’d need to go back to my dorm room for that.
I packed my gear and belted on Selys-Lyann.
The new stick went in my side-pouch, just in case.
I borrowed a glove for my right hand from Derek, since my own had been shredded during the fight with Jin. The metallic part was perfectly intact, I just needed to replace the leather portion.
Then I headed out of the mansion.
My first stop was the Climber’s Court, since it was just a few blocks away.
Lars looked me up and down as soon as I walked into the store. “Goddess above, lad. You look like Mizuchi chewed you up and spat you out.”