78 Magic Musings
1545 Words
"She's lovely isn't she?" said a familiar voice.
Janus sighed.
"Not now Cornelia, or I'll mess up this spell again." Janus said.
"I'm just teasing you."
At the void of his Wellspring, Cornelia appeared as a silhouetted figure with sharp eyes that emphasized her sly intentions.
"What do you want from me?" he asked.
"I just want to let you know that she's taken a liking unto you. You better not let her down."
"Well, I'd do a better job of that if you don't keep interrupting me while I'm casting. And besides, I'm just here to learn. That's all."
"Sorry your highness, but do I hear a glint of irritation in your voice? It's your fault for keeping yourself open like this." She giggled.
"Not this time, you see I've come prepared." Janus had readied himself for this occasion, it had been three times now that Cornelia had done this to him and he was getting tired of it. It was like someone was invading his personal space, getting inside of his head, and messing with it.
He decided that he had had enough.
A barrier surrounded Janus' Wellspring. Dimming down the light that emphasized Cornelia's imposing figure, she slowly simmered down before disappearing into nothing. He had not learned how to close it while he was casting yet, but while he was inside it he had learned to shut it down like closing down the windows to keep the light out.
"Impressive." She whispered.
Janus heard the voice, but this time it was in the real world.
"Janus? Are you okay? You stopped in the middle of casting. Do you feel well?" Haruna asked.
"I'm fine my lady. I just zoned out. I'll try again." Janus spied Cornelia behind Haruna, smiling. Her expression as mischievous as ever, it was like they shared a secret that they only knew.
Janus shook his head and went back to his spell.
The afternoon's activities were for the most part, successful. Janus was able to weave what he now called the flamethrower spell and control it to reach down to obscure dens and hollow logs where they found creatures to be hiding.
A few slimes, deadly snakes, and giant horned beetles were their usual targets. Along with the familiar geists along the way.
After the afternoon activities, he went back to the library and setup a table by the garden to continue with his paperwork and his studies.
This newly learned spell gave him a surge in morale, and he was now more motivated than ever to continue on with his drills and practice material.
Plus, he had learned of another advantage on his own. Long hours of work were taking a toll on his body. And he had a bad habit of sleeping on his desk, leaving his pending tasks to be carried over for the next day.
The tea that they were serving him was not working anymore, and they had not been able to acquire the means of making coffee yet. He had read about the drink, it certainly did exist in this universe but he had never had the chance to find it for himself. Master Roban said that he had never seen coffee, but had heard some people talk about it from foreign lands.
He was bummed out about that. But it didn't matter, as he had found the next best thing. Dipping into his Wellspring wasn't only giving him healing abilities, it was also giving him a small boost of energy to keep him awake while he worked at long hours into the night. He had found that this method did not affect his sleep so much, so he kept using it and recording his results.
He closed his eyes and breathe, the lights coalesced and soothed the aches in his muscles. He soaked into energies he never thought he had before.
"You shouldn't overdo that you know. It's dangerous." A voice called.
"Wait how----" Janus looked around, he had erected a proper wall to protect himself.
"I'm right here dummy. Open your eyes."
He sensed Cornelia standing in front of him.
"Okay, you got a proper barrier going on now. Good job, your highness. You're a genius. Our savior! Ugh, don't you get tired of people always telling you that? Janus! Open your eyes." Cornelia called.
Janus flipped back to reality, it was like falling from a deep casm into his chair. The abruptness of it all felt nauseating.
Cornelia was right at his face, holding up a book.
"That spell, you shouldn't overdo it." She said.
"How did you know? Wasn't my barrier correct?"
"It is, finally. But you have a tell on your face whenever you do the Invigoratus spell."
"Invigoratus?"
"The thing you do when you're nervous or tired. The one you did just now."
"Ah right."
"I'm surprised you've learned it on your own, but you need to exercise caution. I have this spellbook on remedies right here, it will tell you how to do it properly, although I doubt you need instruction on that. What you need to learn is the consequences of overdoing that spell. It can get you addicted. Too much arcane power can disintegrate mortal flesh, or leave you trapped in your own Wellspring. This isn't a danger to novices or adepts, but with a Well like yours you are more susceptible to its effects."
She opened the book to a bookmarked page. It listed all other side effects from the spell. It included spontaneous combustion, deep cuts, severe swelling, and insanity.
"I've brought you this book so you can learn it for yourself. Sadly none of us knows how to do it as well as you can. So you'll only have this as your resource."
Janus blinked.
"Cornelia, this is very nice of you. I'm surprised you've come all this way just to share this book. I'll do my best to keep myself safe. If you don't mind me asking, why the sudden change of heart? I was beginning to think you didn't like me that much."
Cornelia rolled her eyes. "Oh I like you, like something of a plaything, but my friends seem to think you've got a good heart. And I certainly would like to stay here for a little while longer. All of these large energies and creatures are presenting me with more ways to prove myself."
There was a surge of energy around her. The temperature rose. Sweat appeared on Janus' temples. She was casting a spell.
Janus used his vision. Enticed by the sheer expertise at which she wielded the surge of power around her like a weapon. She was fueled by pure passion and fury, and it burned red. He couldn't help it. He peered through her Wellspring as revenge, the same thing she kept doing to him.
It was a totally different place. The landscape was dark and everywhere was full of red and purple lights that moved like fire ravaging a field. Her voice reverberated throughout his skull like a wave of overwhelming frenzy.
"OUT! GET OUT!" she boomed.
In the real world, Janus fell and fumbled from his desk to the ground.
Cornelia laughed hysterically.
"That's what you get! Haha that's what you get!"
"Princey, are you all right?" said a goblin's voice.
A few footsteps came running through to inspect the scene. He helped himself up and started picking up stacks of paper that fell into the floor.
"Cornelia, what did you do?" said a nonchalant voice.
"Hah! Serves him right for peering." She laughed like a witch. Janus should remind himself more to not mess with her.
Aiden was surprisingly among the few who came by. With him was Adduk, Teeko, Halbur and Elder Frugarth. A collection of the brightest minds in the village in terms of engineering and research.
"I'm okay. Don't worry about me. That was all in good fun, right Cornelia? Thank you for the book by the way. I... Appreciate it."
"Of course your highness." She curtsied, still laughing like a witch. "All in good fun."
After composing himself and taking a quick dip of energy he spoke.
"Now, what brings all of you here? Elder Frugarth, I'm surprised you're still at Lakeside at this hour."
"Aye, ye see yer friend here has an interesting proposal. We've been discussing for hours now, and I think he may be on to something."
"I've found a way to harness the energies in the bottom of the Lake. We made the prototype just now, and it works!" Aiden was brimming with excitement as he said it. It was weirdly the first time he had heard the guy talk with enthusiasm.
"Adduk, show him." He said.
"Bulby installed a rod in the lake that we designed with the alchemist along with Blunthammer Elder. Crystals that were found dropped by the geists helped convert these energies into the rod. And now we've captured it inside a bottle." Adduk raised a small flask that flickered and glowed.
Janus looked closer, inside was a restless spark that looked somewhat a mix of electricity and magic. He used his arcane vision to inspect its contents. It was indeed similar to Lysie's lightning spells.
They sat down and listened to Aiden's proposal. A wealth of possibilities came to Janus mind that excited him. Even Cornelia was impressed, electing to stay even when she had no reason to.
Aiden proposed to build a spire at the bottom of Lakeside made of rods and conduits. They could use these energies for a myriad of other purposes.
The flask that Adduk held reminded Janus of a fluorescent lamp.
They were on the verge of discovering electricity.
- Writer
