18.2. Figuring Out Magic - Part 2

We meet Hana in the hall and she insists we go properly to the dining room. Everyone's already there and eating when we arrive. The atmosphere is both strangely elevated and grim.

"My people reached Emi an hour ago," Liana says without any greeting. "She's famished, dirty and has a few bruises but physically otherwise okay."

"But mentally?" I'm worried.

"She scratched my people when they tried to touch her so they had to use sedatives," Liana sighs. "They told me that she knew that she's being rescued but her instincts must have kicked in."

"So it's highly possible she developed a trauma," Julia guesses. "Damn, we could really use a psychologist."

"I'll try asking in our guild," Liana suggests. "We have over five hundred members; one of them might be what we need."

"Worth a try," Fefnir approves and goes for ham.

We sit down and dig in as well. As always, the breakfast is a little feast. And it's already mirroring our new dietary needs.

"Start with eggs, okay?" Erik insists because he notices I'm eyeing pancakes.

"Roger," I say and put scrambled eggs and a piece of wholemeal bread on my plate.

"Researchers are running early blood tests," Julia informs us and she's nibbling a toast while glued to her laptop. "It seems new races might process glucose differently."

"So sweets may not be harmful to us?" Liana is curious.

"That still remains to be seen," Julia shrugs. "Maybe in case of Celestials... possibly. But you still need to eat balanced meals, sugar is just quick empty energy."

"Eating, eating," I roll my eyes because Erik is giving me stares. I'm allowed one pancake after a proper meal.

"Emi should arrive in the evening," Liana says when we finish eating. "Meanwhile, we should train our new abilities. Reports of spells that went badly or injuries caused by uncontrolled strength are increasing."

"They are?" I'm worried.

"So far only minor stuff," Ingri says. "Still, people are scared what might happen if, for instance, a fire spell goes out of hand in a block of flats."

"You have to take it outside," Hana claps her hands and even Liana has to listen to her.

*****

"Uff, this is harder than I thought," I'm out of breath after just six attempts to make a fire ball in a safe distance in front of me.

"The spell does work, though," Erik is supportive. "You're just cautious more than usual because of your burnt hand."

"Damn," Liana screams because she's just set on fire a small bush. Her employees immediately put it out, ready with extinguishers.

"Ha!" Fefnir shouts victoriously as he manages to destroy another wall. It's part of an older garden arrangement that Liana wanted to re-design anyway so she allowed him to use it for his power training.

Suddenly, I feel a pleasant gust of wind. Fire spells seem too volatile to master but air is somehow natural—a Celestial racial element. I feel like I can make it listen to me quite easily so I spread my wings and try releasing mana.

I get goosebumps under my feathers when I distinctively feel mana being channelled through them. My wings are still too small to properly carry my body weight but the wind gets much stronger, I feel like I'm in a trance and... my feet leave the ground.

At first, everyone is excited to watch me hover but then my mana leaks too much, I lose control and I'm suddenly half a metre above the ground. But I'm too enthralled to feel any concern for my safety. I'm floating!

"My God, Ryuuto!" Erik catches my wrist and pulls me down. I finally get to my senses and fall onto his chest, panting.

"You can't do things like that when you're still not in full control, Aefener. What if you fall badly and injure yourself?" Liana turns on her strict mode.

"Sweet, true air magic!" Ingri is holding her phone.

"Did you shoot it?" Liana frowns.

"You bet I did," the girl grins. "Since I can't train with you, guys, I can document it at least."

"Your powers are still dormant but you're already a plant nonetheless," Fefnir smirks because Ingri is sitting in the grass and looks very comfortable there.

"For the hundred's time, Fefnir, the Earthborn aren't really plants," Ingri rolls her eyes.

"Says someone with their feet shoved in dirt," Julia tries to joke for the first time ever while examining Ingri's legs that are beginning to sprout tiny rooty tentacles.

"Anyway, back to the important stuff," Erik interrupts them. "Even training outside isn't as safe as we've hoped... especially for Celestials."

"I was managing just fine," I oppose.

"No, you weren't," Erik purses his lips at me. "The moment you felt the wind, your mind went blank."

"You did?" Liana blinks, astonished. "How did it feel like? Was it weird?"

"Not in a bad way," I assure her. "I want to try again."

"Are Celestials supposed to fly without their wings?" he's confused. "Wait until your wings grow properly."

"Celestial air magic was used only for flying support, we obviously need to flap our wings," Liana explains to him. "Erik is right, Aefener, be patient."

"I just want to float a little," I murmur, discontent.

"And end up with a sprained ankle or something possibly worse?" Erik pokes me.

I don't want to post my flying attempt but it turns out Ingri already did. I'm thinking for a while about revoking her right to temper with my social account but Fefnir tells me to let it slip.

"She's still a teenager," he shrugs. "Plus, we need as many followers as possible and you actually floating is a big deal."

"Hmm, I think I finally got the hang of it," Liana announces proudly and conjures a perfect little flame a few centimetres above her palm.

We keep training and make a few videos to tell people what to be especially careful about. As I don't have any headache today and it's becoming evident that spellcasting does take lots of calories, I eat without protest all those delicious snacks Hana is kindly bringing us outside.

"What about earth magic?" Erik asks me when we move to level 1 water spells.

"Nope, we can't do that one," I shake my head. "Earth magic is the exact opposite of air. Only the Earthborn are able to control it."

"So let me sum it up," Erik tries to make sense of it in his head. "Celestials are pure magic casters controlling air, fire and water while air is your natural racial element. The Earthborn are genetical engineers who can control the earth. The Dragonkin are physically the strongest race, almost nothing can harm them, they can re-grow their limbs and breathe fire like dragons. And Clawfangs..."

"Right, you haven't actually met any, Emi will be your first," I realise. "Clawfangs are all about agility, quick attacks, stealth and martial arts. They can also tame all kinds of animals to do their bidding."

"And which race is the best then?" he asks innocently so it surprises him twice when we all freeze. "W-what? Did I say something wrong?"

"Not wrong... just... rude," I cough. "Races of Draconia were designed to complete each other in dungeons, that's why we're so different. Asking which is the best..."

"Oh, right, sorry," he gets it. "Still, the Dragonkin seem the strongest to me. No offence, Ryuu, your magic is amazing but you're so frail."

"No offence taken because you're actually spot on," I admit. "The Dragonkin are the strongest... physically."

"So who would actually win a duel?" he's still curious.

"That doesn't really depend on the race but on the skill of a particular person," Liana answers for a change. "We Celestials are unparalleled in the air where we can evade easily and prepare spells. However, should a Clawfang, for instance, get us stealthily while still on the ground, we don't stand a chance."

"The game was really balanced," Fefnir continues explaining. "Each race has their advantages and weaknesses. Mine being that the Dragonkin are rather slow. As for Clawfangs, they're the only race that doesn't have any magic at all."

After that little explanation especially for Erik and Julia, we move to basic water spells. And they turn out to be even more difficult than fire.

"It's just impossible to conjure water out of nothing!" Liana is furious because even after an hour practising, neither me or her get any result.

"Maybe here you need to summon it out of ground moisture?" Ingri suggests. "Or alternatively from clouds."

"Try manipulating existing water," Erik hands me a glass of juice I was sipping from.

Several more attempts and I finally form a small water ball. But it's too hard to maintain and it bursts after two seconds, splashing on my hoodie.

"Damn," I swear. "No more experimenting with juice."

"It needs washing anyway," Erik comforts me. "You've been wearing it non-stop."

"I should have brought more clothes with me," I sigh. "Li, is it possible I go to my apartment to grab some stuff? Also... I guess I should stop by my university to explain the situation to my supervisor in person and ask for an extension. A one-day trip at most, promise. If you would be so kind to lend us one of your cars..."

"Are you nuts, Aefener?" Liana slaps her forehead. "You became the world-wide celebrity, someone wanted to kidnap you and the government is still after you. There's no way I'm letting you out of the mansion any time soon."

"B-but...!"

"Ryuu, you still don't fully realise it, do you?" Erik pets my wings. "The world outside is much different from the one we left barely two weeks ago. It's dangerous for a transformed Draconian to parade in the streets, moreover for the one everyone knows from the media."

"Presidents also can't just go wherever they'd like," Liana offers an analogy. "Danger aside, people would go crazy. Give me your key card and I'll send someone to move your things."

"How bad is it outside, really?" I look at Fefnir, desperate for answers. I've been so busy with my telepathy, magic and getting in touch with our gaming friends that I didn't have almost any opportunity to familiarise myself with the mundane every-day situation.

"So far only high-levels have fully transformed and most of them chose hiding," Fefnir says. "Majority of Draconians is still in hospitals or with their families. The government and local authorities strengthened police forces but everyone is nervous, not knowing what will actually happen when we start going outside again."

"They predict violence is highly probable," Ingri is tense. "Fear, bullying, insults, riots..."

I knew that it might come to that. I just hoped it wouldn't be that bad but... I was naïve. I look at Fefnir and try to see him from a normal person's perspective.

"You're too used to Fefnir from your game," Erik says as he knows what I'm thinking about because he keeps petting my wings. "Try to see him through me."

I quickly close my eyes, take a few breaths and connect deeper with Erik. He knows that Fefnir is a good guy but he can't help it and is secretly a bit scared by his looks—two metres of muscles, covered in scales, with horns and soon able to breathe fire. What a formidable sight.

"And I'm used to him," he adds when I open my eyes. "Think about how normal people will probably react when they see a Dragonkin, for example, shopping for groceries."

"I don't think Celestials will be better-off either," Fefnir shakes his head. "Sure, you don't look scary, your looks are beautiful by human standards, but people were always afraid of magic."

"Miss Richter," Hana suddenly interrupts us. "I just got a message that your guest should arrive in fifteen minutes."

"Emi," I whisper and my wings tremble.