Millennial Mage

Chapter 181: Just a Minor Change

Tala ate her fill of three silver worth of food. Her lunch companions, Rane and Aproa, who were already used to her large appetite, watched with disbelief as she simply continued to eat.

Normally, she ate about twice what Rane did, despite being less than half his size. For this meal however, she ate nearly six times what the large man did.

Terry had enjoyed trying a bit of everything but had settled back on jerky after the initial tastes.

Tala smiled contentedly to herself, contemplating how much shed increased her stores. Not too bad, Tala.

-Ill say. We were approaching our real weight, given our heavier muscles, bones, and other tissue. Our stores havent been lower, except right after you received those inscriptions from Holly. Even losing our arm didnt take us so close to empty.-

Tala ignored the reference to the past unpleasantness and redirected the conversation. And I burn through around twenty-four hundred calories a day. So, burning through two pounds of reserves will heal me as much as I naturally would over three days, but much faster?

-If your entire body was in need of healing? Yes, near enough. Or you could regrow an arm, almost twice over.- Alat hesitated. -Or near enough to that.-

No wonder the weapons test, and resulting pressure wave, had taken so much from her. Shed dropped more than twenty pounds from that one instance, alone. And this meal will translate to about a pound of reserves.

-For a normal person, this would turn into about that, yeah, but were a bit more efficient. Call it a pound and a half with the enhancements to our digestive system.-

Right, because most people wouldnt extract all there was within the food, and then spend a greater proportion to store it.

-Precisely.-

What does happen to the excess weight? I know Im eating more than a pound and a half.

-You know the answer.-

Im sure I do, but you can recall it faster.

Alat sighed within Talas mind. -You breathe most of it out, if you want the quick version.-

Ahh, right.

Tala returned her focus to Rane and Aproa, briefly explaining that shed been using up too much of her reserves of late, so she had to make it up.

Aproa frowned. Should we find other ways of practicing? I dont like the idea of you running out of healing energy in the middle of a match.

Tala shook her head. Even now, Im still at a level where I could recover from virtually anything. I just couldnt do it more than a couple of times. Ill have plenty of warning that Im approaching dangerous levels, assuming you all arent intent on pinning me down and raining death upon me any time soon.

Rane barked a laugh and smiled but didnt comment.

Aproa nodded, considering. You know your own powers, I suppose. Shall we?

Sure. Tala stood. Ready, Rane?

Im ready. He had a contented smile across his features that Tala didnt see a reason for.

Oh well. That mans an enigma.

-Its because you arent using any honorific when addressing him.-

Tala almost tripped on her own feet as they left the restaurant. That would have been embarrassing.

-Just a bit, yeah.-

She thought back and found that Alat was right.

-Of course, Im right.-

When did that happen? She couldnt actually recall the last time shed called him Master Rane, but it couldnt have been that long ago.

-Oh, its been building.-

Sowhat does that mean?

-It means that youre comfortable with him.-

Nothing more?

-Im not going to tell you what to feel or what you feel, Tala. That way lies madness.-

Tala grimaced.

Are you alright, Tala? Rane placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. I know that my stomach would be angry at me if I ate even half of what you did. He grinned, trying to add levity to what would have been a rude comment to anyone else.

He didnt use an honorific for me, either She felt like she only noticed because Alat had pointed out her own lack.

-Youre right about that. Hes been using it less and less of late. Mirroring you, mostly, but tentatively.-

Is that alright?

-Do you care?-

She found that she didnt, not really. She patted his hand and smiled. Im fine. Just thinking.

Anything interesting?

Tala felt a moment of awkwardness. Oh, yes, Im just thinking about you, Rane. Youre very interesting. She flushed at the very idea of saying such a thing. Then, she silently thanked the stars that her skin was hidden. I really hope that blushing isnt illusorily recreated for all to see. Not too much, no.

Aproa snorted a laugh. Come on, you two. Im sure Terry wants to put some Mages in their place.

Terry bobbed in excited agreement and let out a disturbingly deep, basso trill.

The streets were fairly crowded, and the result of his jubilation was that people stared their way in confusion and mild alarm. Funnily enough, people stepped out of their path after that, making the trip faster than in might otherwise have been.

When the group had almost arrived at the training compound, Tala realized that she hadnt told Rane something quite important. So, she pulled him a bit off to one side, while continuing to walk, yanked him down so she could reach his ear, and whispered into it. Hey.

He gave her an odd look as they kept walking, the large man hunched oddly to one side. Hey, yourself?

I recovered the memories.

His eyes widened. Well, rust.

Yeah. Im going to give you access, so that you can review them on an archive slate at some point, soon.

That would be appreciated. Thank you. He seemed a bit shell-shocked, responding from a slight daze.

Since shed conveyed what she needed to, Tala allowed them to shift their walking path back over to be nearer Aproa. The woman didnt comment on their short conversation and so neither did they.

Alat, can you do that? Grant him access?

-Done.-

Tala hesitated. Wait. How? I know you can make changes in the Archive, but how did you select Rane, specifically? Come to think of it, how did you give Jenna access, earlier?

-Well, Jenna was easy to find, given that shes married to the city lord.-

What about Rane?

-Come on, Tala. We know his magical signature almost as well as we know our own.-

That was interesting to realize.

Oh I should have discussed this with Odera.

-Oh, yeah. We very much should have.- After a pause, Alat projected the sound of a clearing throat. -Ill give her access, and we can tell her, tomorrow.-

Agreed.

Rane seemed deep in thought but was nodding to himself.

Whats up?

He gave her a side-eyed glance, before answering. Ive been needing to pick up an Archive integration at some point. Ill have to check with my inscriber to see what he recommends and what he thinks I can support.

Tala grunted. Well, let me know what you find. You have been increasing your magical weight at a good pace. There should be something that you can get.

-UmTala?-

Yeah?

-Jenna just gave us access to a message. She would like us to find a reason to be out of Bandfast, tomorrow. There will be several teams of Mage Hunters and two people with the title of Arcane Hunter close at hand.-

Tala would have sworn that she immediately felt bloody eyes on her once again. And I was doing so well, not thinking about thatthing.

-You were. I am sorry to ruin it. How should I respond?-

Tala considered for a moment. Ending berries. We need a bunch.

-Ill add an addendum stating that were going to the ending grove thats?-

North. Well go to the one to the north.

-Alright. In her note, she asked us to be discrete about our true purpose but to let people know youre leaving the city.-

She had no idea how to do that, but she would try. What? No announcing to the city at large that Im going out to be used as Arcane bait?

-Precisely.-

Tala snorted a laugh, and Rane gave her an odd look.

Is everything alright? They had just entered the compound and were making their way through the wide halls towards their reserved arena.

Inviting people to come could work Yeah, yeah. Hey, do either of you want to come out of the city with me, tomorrow? Ill be going a dozen or so miles to the north to harvest some berries.

Aproa responded first. I cant; I actually leave on assignment tomorrow morning. Ill be gone for about three weeks.

Oh, thats sad. Tala was surprised that the news actually did disappoint her.

Rane cleared his throat. Well, I need to meet with my inscriptionist tomorrow. If you need company, Ill happily come, but if not, Id like to get this dealt with.

Tala shrugged. Not necessary. She trembled a little but contained the reaction. But I would like someone with me I think Ill see if anyone at the training session, today, is interested in coming.

With that, they had arrived, and the three of them walked out onto the familiar sand.

The regulars were there, along with a couple new Archons and five magelings, all bald and inscriptionless.

Tala cursed internally.

-Oooo. More old year-mates, newly arrived from the Academy.-

Great. Tala lagged behind a bit. Have you determined how to alter the through-spikes illusion?

-Yes and no.-

Explain. She did not have any interest in games.

-Fine. I havent figured out how we can modify it, not yet, but I can show you how to manipulate the magics within it to remove the illusory aspect of its magics, until you release the manipulation and allow it to return to its base state.-

Show me.

Alat directed her through the motions with precision and ease, so that in less than five steps, as she continued to walk forwards, Tala was confident that she could enact the change at will.

It was quite a bit like making an alteration to her elk leathers, though the change wouldnt be lasting.

Aproa spoke first. Hunter Jean, whats going on?

Jean turned from a conversation that she had been having with one of the magelings. These fine new graduates are looking for masters. They were told that for combat focused Mages, were a good group to investigate.

Wow. Everyones acting showy, today.

The mageling that Jean had been talking to bowed over his clasped hands. For transparencys sake, we were given a list of groups that meet, similar to yours. Weve already met with one group, and one of those who was with us found a master among them.

Jean shrugged. There you have it. Magelings looking for guides.

Tala had stayed back, mostly behind Ranes massive frame.

Cazor called out from the far corner. I already told them that none of us really have the extra coin required to have a mageling, but apparently they think me a liar.

The magelings shuffled uncomfortably.

Stan, the oxygen manipulator, shook his head. Dont be like that Cazor. You know very well that a mageling usually more than pays for herself in the end.

Cazor shrugged. Im not taking one on.

No one will force you too. Jean huffed. I doubt anyone would want to be yours, anyways.

Cazor ignored Jeans barb, saw Tala and Terry, and waved. Hey! Youre back, today. Terry is going to join us, right?

Tala didnt shrink in on herself, but it was a near thing. Yeah. Hes excited to put you in your place.

The Archons laughed, a few adding good natured jabs towards Cazor.

Cazor, for his part, leveraged himself off the wall hed been leaning against and walked her way. Hey, you lookdifferent. Healthier?

The attention that was already on her seemed to sharpen.

Tala would have sworn that she could feel it.

-You cant, not literally. But you can feel the magic behind their intent, and thats directed your way. Your mage-sight can pick that up, though its hardly that magical.-

Great

A couple of the others added their own comments on how her color looked improved and the like.

Before any further comments could come about, Tala assuaged them. Just a minor change. Nothing affecting my ability to participate, I assure you.

There were some joking cheers at that.

Tala allowed her gaze to pass over the magelings, and a couple of them were giving her critical looks, seeming to be trying to figure something out about her.

Sadly, Rane had moved aside, presumably in an attempt to be courteous and not block her.

Cazor shrugged. Alright, Mistress Tala, whatever you say. Then, would master Terry like to challenge someone, first?

Well, rust. She really didnt know what shed expected. Someone was going to use her name eventually. Tala closed her eyes as she heard a gasp from the magelings, which keyed off a whispered, tumbling conversation that Tala had no issue hearing. Tala? Did he say Mistress Tala?

I knew she looked familiar!

No, it cant be her. She just left a few months back.

Didnt she leave naked?

Thats hardly relevant. Its not like shed be unable to buy clothes.

Do you know any other Talas?

I dont know every Mage in the world, Gegory.

Just ask her.

Im not going to do that. You ask her.

Tala was having flashbacks of her time at the Academy. Great. Just great

-Hey, look at it this way. You were embarrassed by how you handled yourself when I helped you remember all that happened. This is a chance to be better.-

The other Archons seemed to have noticed the magelings discussions, though most didnt have any enhanced senses worth noting.

Jean was close enough to hear with ease, however, and she turned to regard Tala with a raised eyebrow.

Tala grinned sheepishly at the Mage Hunter and shrugged.

The woman shook her head and turned back to the huddled group. Graduates. Are you here to gossip or to find masters?

That shut them up, and they turned away from each other, looking chastened. Bless you, Jean.

Jean glanced towards Tala. Mistress Tala. Is there anything youd like to say to clear the air, so we can get to the business of watching our feathered friend feed Cazor some sand?

That got a little laugh from those assembled, then all eyes turned back to Tala.

Rust you, Jean. Tala gave a little wave. Hey. Long time no see, Gegory, Anisia. I dont think I ever really met you others, not officially.

It is you! There were several muttered explanations.

Yeah. She shrugged. Is that going to be a problem?

The gave her odd looks. No? Who are you mageling under? We dont want to accidentally try to poach your master.

Tala was at once offended by the reasonable assumption and touched by the consideration it represented. Oh, no. Im... She cleared her throat. She had been about to say that she was an Archon, but that would open a can of worms that she wasnt willing to address. Im not a mageling.

That, again, caused all sorts of mutters.

Gegory stepped forward, a sad look in his eyes. Oh, Im sorry to hear that. Im glad that you still get to be around magic though.

What? Oh Tala groaned internally. No, no. Im a full Mage.

The mutters were louder this time.

Most of the Archons looked rather confused, but no one was willing to interrupt.

One of the braver magelings, whose name she didnt know, spoke up. Who was your master? Id love to be fast-tracked too!

The others laughed, and Tala grimaced.

Rane, who seemed to have been trying to contain his laugher, finally couldnt any longer, and he barked out a laugh that was loud enough to border on being a shout. He then sucked in a breath, having trouble around his continued chuckles.

Tala, already on a hair-trigger, hit him on pure reflex.

Well, she tried, though the results were better than shed have hoped.

His magic registered her hard swat as the attack it was and so moved him forwards and down, directly away from the blow.

Rane, who wasnt really paying attention, didnt compensate and roll with the motion as he normally would have.

Thus, he faceplanted into the sand in spectacular fashion, making a whoomph sound and sending up a little wave of finer sand that quickly settled.

Tala realized that, from the outside, it would have looked like Rane laughed at her and she hit him hard enough to slam the much larger man face-first into the ground.

There was a moment of stunned silence before the Archons, who all knew about Ranes defenses, and were thus able to guess exactly what had happened, began laughing.

The five soon-to-be-magelings looked around in abject confusion.

Tala couldnt help herself from grinning, as she spread her arms in a shrug as she looked to the young man who had inquired about her master. She felt like some of her tension had been stripped away. I took a non-standard path, which is sadly not an option for any of you. I dont have a master to recommend your way, as much as Id like to.

She looked around at the still chuckling Archons, even as Rane pushed himself to his feet, still apparently in a good mood, if his grin was any indication. He did spit out some sand, however.

She helped him get the rest of the way to his feet before her gaze returned to the five. Well, weve spent enough time on formalities. Were here to train. Ask questions as you have them.