ULTRAMagic Prelude - Chapter 10
Things had finally settled down since everyone had returned home. It took a few days, but Blood-Wraith had gotten over his anxiety and Tusk was adjusting to his new surroundings. Kresimira was particularly interested in the newcomer mage, wanting to gauge his skills and see what he knew. Observation revealed that Tusk was not exactly up to par with what was expected. His skills were on the level of an average mage, also indicating that his expertise was in decline. Kresimira had no plans to let this stand and got to work writing up a special lesson plan for him. Thankfully she could easily slot him into her Alchemy lessons the others were busy with at the moment.
“I would have used my new technique, but I felt the forest wouldn’t have appreciated it” Dragoslava stated. “And Blood had to deal with being a wolf.”
Tusk groaned. “Why do I get the distinct impression that would have been dangerous?”
“Only as dangerous as we needed” Dragoslava replied with a dismissive glee.
“I see…” Kresimira was not pleased with Dragoslava’s devil may care attitude. “So were you two able to glean any new knowledge, despite the ruckus?” she asked.
Dragoslava gave a thumbs up. “Oh absolutely. Blood went out and hit the Tree People’s books like crazy.”
“Intriguing. What did you find, Blood-Wraith?”
“Well, a mix of unique transmutations and 7-step process manuscripts. I guess water and wind transmutations are a bit rare compared to earth and fire” He replied, shuffling through some of his notes.
Tusk jumped in, having a bit of insight on the topic. “I can vouch. Air and water are unique and mostly niche. The one I use the most out of the two is wind, primarily water into ice. Vapor into water has also been helpful. The issue is that I often find earth and fire to be more reliable.”
Kresimira began writing on the chalkboard. “An example of an interesting air transmutation I know of is wind gusts. Using your Alchemy, you can alter conditions such as temperature and atmospheric pressure to create a pressure gradient. Creating the correct gradient will allow you to control the wind. Now obviously The Unlight does not have definitive weather patterns, but that is irrelevant for a transmutation. Any questions?” The students were impressed, taking a second to absorb the information.
“I believe my dad once created a tornado to fend off invaders, but it happened before I was born,” Tusk stated.
Kresimira looked quite impressed. “My my, the conditions for such a feat would have to be quite extreme. Regardless, I feel someone such as Sigmund could pull that off. You most likely could too, Tusk. All you need to do is refine your techniques and…”
Dragoslava chuckled. “Hehe, maybe we should use that on Corentin…” Both sisters laughed.
“My goodness, surely I don’t constitute that strong of a response…” a man’s voice rebuked.
Kresimira felt her eye twitch as she turned to face her unwelcome visitor. “What part of you’re not allowed in this tower do you not understand?”
Corentin playfully threw up his hands. “It’s been so long though and I’ve changed since then… Plus the king is my uncle.”
“You've changed? Explain the ravagers then, a recent mishap I might add.”
“Okay, a few miscalculations here and there, I’ll admit. I assure you that I fully intended for them to defend the city while the others are off on the great hunt. Bloody Chaos Wasps…”
Kresimira sighed. “Alright, Corentin, what do you want?”
“I merely wished to give you this…” He held out a beautiful, metal rose. Its pink petals glistened in the light. This naturally caught everyone’s attention.
As Kresimira took the rose, she felt herself beginning to blush. Turning away from Corentin, she focused on the rose. It began to glow brightly, then transformed into a majestic rapier with a guard of rose petals. After a series of test thrusts and swings, she held it before her. “You know I put fencing aside a long time ago…”
“Consider it a reminder of the good old days, when we…”
“OUT!” Kresimira yelled as she pushed Corentin out of the lab. “Class dismissed!”
Once the two were gone, Blood-Wraith looked at the clock. “Huh, it’s only 2 though…” He was fairly lost for details over what had just happened.
After a minute of silence, Dragoslava broke it. “WHAT? DOES THAT CASSANOVA REJECT THINK HE CAN JUST WIN BIG SIS BACK LIKE THAT?”
Blood-Wraith and Tusk needed context, so she explained. Long before the great hunt, Kresimira and Corentin were a couple. Her sister was a writer and a romantic while the scientist was madly in love with her. Once Corentin took up Alchemy, things became a little complicated. He had a habit of performing more dangerous and explosive experiments. As the majority of the city frowned upon him, Kresimira was having trouble defending Corentin. Eventually the two split, but the relationship was never officially broken off. And then the great hunt started. While it was figured that he went off with the hunt, that did not actually happen.
“Well I’m no expert, but it sounds like Kresimira scored a perfect partner,” Tusk asserted. “I’d rather have a daring partner than one that always plays it safe.”
Dragoslava gave a slight growl, but relented. “Okay, sure-Corentin never did anything to hurt big sis…”
“It sounds like both of you need to move on from the past” Blood-Wraith stated bluntly.
“Blood, how could you?” Dragoslava asked in jest, but was also expecting him to take it back.
“I stand by what I said. I sense no evil from him.”
Dragoslava gave Blood-Wraith an incredulous look. “Well obviously! Good lord…”
The three got up and left the lab. There was no sense in hanging around if there was no class at the moment. Walking by the northwest balcony, they found Kresimira and Corentin… Of which the latter was kissing the former. She then promptly slapped him, followed by her kissing him back. And it sounded like they were enjoying themselves. The trio was royally confused, with Dragoslava blowing a gasket.
“Fine, we can be a thing again… but blow up any part of the city and we’re through, got it?” Kresimira warned.
Corentin chuckled. “Alright, I’ll blow myself up outside of the city then…”
“WHAT!?!?!” An aura of fire erupted around Dragoslava as she shouted, subsiding as she relaxed. “Alright, fine, fine. I’m cool, I’m fine…”
“Yes Drago, I’m giving him a second chance,” Kresimira admitted.
“Just… Can we slow down for two seconds?!” Dragoslava exclaimed.
Corentin stepped forward. “I understand your apprehension, Drago. If I may make a gesture of goodwill: Blood-Wraith, I see you’ve collected a soul trait?”
“Yes, why?” He was curious as to what Corentin had to say.
“I gave him that one, in case you’re wondering,” Tusk added.
“ULTRAMagic is a truly wondrous form of magic, one I have contemplated pursuing myself” Corentin began to explain. “Alas, my studies and experiments keep me distracted. Sadly few others have actually studied it. The only one I remember at the moment was one of our own, Brenna Thompson…”
“Wait, hold up-Brenna did what now?” Dragoslava interrupted.
Kresimira nodded in confirmation “Yes, Brenna came back early, seeking something special of hers. Next thing I knew she was off again. What tipped me off was her power entering the city.”
“I believe she went off towards the Magician’s Labyrinth,” Corentin continued. “Anyways, Soul fragments are easy to acquire, if you know the right people.” he snapped his fingers, causing a purple flame to appear. “Blood-Wraith? I hereby bequeath a fragment of my Soul to you.”
As the flame went into Blood-Wraith, Tusk objected. “Wait, hold up! Take it easy on him. This could lead to over stimulation!”
Blood-Wraith laughed. “That felt great!”
“Excuse me!?” Kresimira interjected. “Just because we're a couple again doesn’t mean you can just throw your soul around willy-nilly!” She then summoned a yellow flame and sent it flying. “Here you go, Blood-Wraith!”
“NO, GUYS! STOP!” Tusk protested as he tried to block the fragment… It did not work.
Blood-Wraith felt even better as the second fragment integrated into him. Something was in his chest, a feeling of weightlessness. It was like he needed to jump into the air and soar into the clouds. He did not realize it, but his body had taken on another form. This time he appeared as a dragon. He was close in size to his original form and looked similar to Leif. Feeling a surge of energy, he bolted forth and leapt into the air from the balcony. Seeing Leif himself approaching, he planned to race him.
“READYSETGO!!” Blood-Wraith shouted as he began rocketing around the tower. He did not realize that his friend was not racing him.
Leif was a bit confused as he shrunk down and landed. “Did I miss something?”
Dragoslava cleared her throat. “Well firstly big sis and Corentin are…”
“I know, he told me beforehand.”
“...Oh, Okay. Well these two lovebirds decided to give Blood-Wraith their fragments, completely out of the blue.”
“I see.”
Tusk exhaled. “I tried to stop them…”
Leif took a second to observe the hyperactive dragon. “Fascinating that he took on a dragon-based form. These transformations must be dependent on the circumstances and his surroundings. Although, that makes me wonder if he would be… hmm…”
“I have to wonder just what he is exactly,” Tusk observed. “He’s young, but takes to this stuff with ease. Dad wouldn’t let me have my first fragment until I was 16, and even then it had to be his.”
After letting Blood-Wraith do another lap, Leif spoke. “Valentina is on her way.”
“Oh, cool,” Dragoslava responded with a clap. “Jeez, has it already been a week? Sis, It’s time!”
Kresimira laughed. “I’m not deaf, Drago. And I can sense her already. What an aura she has…”
Corentin nodded. “A Dark Angel? What a fascinating detail. They are a bit rare across the Cosmos.”
In the distance was a winged, heavily armored woman flying towards the tower. Valentina had been caught up in a kerfuffle prior to departing. Regardless, she was on her way to return the books she had borrowed. She was also very eager to deliver Blood-Wraith’s new book to him. Just as she entered the vicinity of the tower, something zipped past her. It nearly collided with Valentina, causing her to stumble in the air a bit. Dragoslava saw this and quickly called her over.
“Hello again, Dragoslava,” Valentina greeted as she took off her helmet. Her long, flowing hair was wound up in a giant ponytail behind her. Dirt from grease and soil was also all over her face.
“Welcome back, Val. Get everything you need out of the books?”
“Yes, yes I did. Give me one second…” The books in question were removed from her shadowy wings and set on the table.
Dragoslava handed her a rag from her trench coat. “Here, you got schmutz all over…”
“Oh, thank you,” Valentina replied as she began wiping her face.
Kresimira looked at Valentina in amazement. “You read all of those in a week? Goodness…”
“Val, this is my sister and teacher, Kresimira,” said Dragoslava.
Valentina shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
“Likewise,” Kresimira replied. “I’m flattered that you're interested in our collection. You’re more than welcome to explore it further.”
Dragoslava continued. “The pink haired bozo you see is Corentin, this tree boy is Tusk, and that dragon is Leif.”
“Oh don’t worry, we’ve met before” Leif pointed out.
“Most certainly,” Valentina replied. “So where is Blood-Wraith? I got his book ready for him.”
Dragoslava pointed out the window as another lap was finished. “There…” she answered.
Since it was going to take some time for Blood-Wraith to calm down, Kresimira invited the dark angel for some tea and cookies. She had some time to spare, but not much. As for the current situation with their hyperactive dragon, many more flights around the tower took place. Little did the others realize that he had spotted a new planetoid. Could he make it there? Was it reasonable to embark on such a journey? Going for it seemed like a good test of his wings after all. Pausing his current flight, Blood-Wraith focused on the planetoid and took off for it. He would be back before the others even realized he was gone.
Next: Chapter 10
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
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