Amdirlain’s PoV - Limbo


    Amdirlain sat cross-legged, floating above the pallet bed—Telekinesis rather than Flight keeping her aloft. The minds asleep around her tried to press across her awareness, but she kept clear of their broadcast dreams. Mental barriers extended by the High Anarchs surrounded the monastery, intermingling with their arcane protections. The supporting thoughts and Mana blended an interwoven tapestry formed with meticulous care. True Sight had shown what looked like gaps in the protections overhead, yet Telepathy now let her feel the traps that waited.


    Traps whose lethal force was kinder than the mental wounds she’d inflicted on herself.


    The session hadn’t even made it off the ledge she’d initially appeared on after the age running through the maze. A series of casual questions forced her to stop and look at the horrors with fresh eyes. The focus was on lessening the impact of emotional horrors by analysing the facts within individual pieces of what Soul Sight had inflicted on her. Emotional shrapnel that she hadn’t even realised had stayed, was slowly uncovered by Ellniya’s prodding.


    Drawn up by Ellniya’s questions, they’d worked to set aside memories absorbed by Soul Sight. Her improved intelligence making the slow progress of chipping away seem at least eventually possible. Counting and cataloguing elements in the memories helped bring them down to piecemeal components—but it wasn’t okay when a murderer’s flayed kills hung in a row. Every question emphasised that their deeds weren’t hers, and nothing justified her trapped alongside them, but accepting it was a different matter.


    She was neither the damned nor the judge, just an observer with no influence over their fates. Her survival was the only thing that had rested with her—no one else’s. None of her choices had placed her, or anyone else, in that nightmarish landscape.


    Holding herself aloft with Telekinesis let her judge her emotional stability. Anytime her position became unsettled, she had to stop and refocus herself. Deconstructing the memories that had smashed into her from the damned Souls was a laborious process. Running ragged and on emotional fumes, the first chime of the monastery’s day was a welcome reprieve from her contemplations. She’d spent the night working on fragments of memories, yet the impact of her first momentary use of Soul Sight hadn’t lessened.


    With the surrounding minds roused by the chime, Amdirlain moved towards the courtyard. The Novices in the doors that opened along her passage, blinked sleepily at her. Amdirlain could see Master Tenzin already present through the courtyard’s door and didn’t linger in the passage. Once she was in the courtyard, Amdirlain spotted ?daka, kneeling calmly near the courtyard’s wall. Tenzin motioned Amdirlain to a mat among those arrayed around ?daka in a crescent, and Amdirlain focused on her spot.


    “Novice Amdirlain,” ?daka said and nodded to her the moment Amdirlain had knelt.


    “Master ?daka, have you been well?” Amdirlain asked, her haggard tone grating within her skull, and hooked on thoughts. Her mind transposed ?daka’s features onto a murder victim’s broken form, and she shuddered to discard it.


    ?daka’s eyebrows shot up at her reaction and replied so softly that the words barely carried to Amdirlain. “Know that I have been; you have my thanks for your interest. Know I’ve heard several things attributed to yourself, including a recent rumour you’d been to see our latest guest—was she not helpful?”


    Stiffening at the words, Amdirlain almost spat a heated reply, but stopped herself and considered ?daka’s tone before responding. “Thank you for your interest. I found Master Ellniya very helpful, though her advice is draining to follow.”


    [Diplomacy (12->13)


    Note: In-tent—not just for taking shelter.]


    Her gaze didn’t shift from Amdirlain, but ?daka grimaced. “Know that I had hoped you’d again show me that technique you used on the strike plate. Perhaps after you have recovered?”


    “Perhaps,” acknowledged Amdirlain, giving her a polite nod. “Though I’m not sure your people’s style can utilise it.”


    The first of the Novices entering the courtyard stopped ?daka momentarily, but she continued as the girls started taking their positions. “Know that I’m aware as the Anarch on duty told me you used Mana rather than psionic energy within the strike. Know they said it was Destruction Mana, but held within a framework of energy they had never felt previously.”


    Is she hoping for an explanation of Ki?


    Letting the conversation lapse, ?daka waited until all the Novices were kneeling in their spots before she spoke again. The members of her table knelt on the meditation mats near Amdirlain. Sarith got poked by Gemiya to kneel next to Amdirlain, when she tried to signal the other Novice to swap. Ignoring Gemiya’s scolding look, Sarith stared straight ahead, dismissing Amdirlain’s presence.


    “Know we will continue the breathing exercise; each of you should seek the air moving through your body with your mind. Know the importance is in seeking, not achieving—now let us begin.”


    With that said, ?daka simply breathed in slowly, and the Novices followed her example. Amdirlain could feel the psionic energy from ?daka brushing the flow of her inhalation and tried to copy the lightness of her touch. She displayed the lightest telekinetic control in merely touching the air without hampering it. Amdirlain followed the tempo of ?daka’s breathing and tried to stay unfocused, allowing the exercise to relax her mind after last night’s efforts.


    Some Novices seemed to want to emulate ?daka’s relaxed expression, their youthful features trying to take on a mirror of her composure. While others seemed so intent, it was clear they’d missed the point of the exercise. It hadn’t reached the expected hour, but Amdirlain could feel the Novice’s restless state when ?daka signalled a halt.


    “Know there is time prior to your meal—dismissed,” said ?daka.


    Flowing upright, ?daka nodded to Amdirlain, before she headed for the path Duurth had used to reach the courtyard yesterday.


    Gemiya leaned forward to get a line of sight around Sarith, who abruptly stood. “How is it you know Master ?daka?”


    “Don’t you have to do your morning ablutions?” asked Amdirlain, and Gemiya pouted before she hurried to her feet.


    “Know you are correct, but I still wish to know how,” grumbled Gemiya and she followed Sarith towards the dormitory.


    “Know that I am Nomein.”


    The brunette Novice on Amdirlain’s other side introduced herself softly, and Amdirlain turned to smile at the suddenly fidgeting girl. “I’m pleased to meet you, Nomein.”


    At Amdirlain’s reaction, Nomein smiled in return and when she looked up at Amdirlain, her mussed hair fell away from her face, and showed off a badly bruised cupid-bow mouth. The mottled shades standing out on her greenish toned skin. In her otherwise brown irises, gold and silver flecks stood out in the courtyard’s brighter lighting.


    “Know that Sarith is high-strung, but she should come around—she’s not a complete yan.”


    Amdirlain kept her concern from her face and addressed the unusual term instead. “Yan?”


    “Know it’s a term for the Githyanki; we were once all Gith, but they’re a bunch of tyrannical low-lives and bandits,” said Nomein in the knowledgeable tone only the truly confident—or children—managed without conceit.


    Amdirlain kept her amusement hidden and just nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you for the information. Have you known each other long?”


    “Know that my father is in the guard with the twins'' mother,” replied Nomein, the tip of her tongue playing across her split lip.


    “Gemiya and Sarith are the twins?” asked Amdirlain, and Nomein nodded in response. “I thought they looked related, but I wasn’t sure.”


    “Know they are; Sarith makes the most noise, but she closes her mouth when Gemiya speaks up,” elaborated Nomein.


    “What happened to your mouth?” Amdirlain asked softly. “It looks like something hit you.”


    Nomein sighed ruefully. “Know I stepped in too close practicing a block last night and pre-empted Zenya’s punch in the process—she is the Novice at our table with short hair. Know she’s most upset with me for talking her into additional practice; I’m expecting glares and silence until its healed.”


    “Blocking a fist with your mouth isn’t the best approach. Would you like me to heal it?”


    “You can heal?” asked Nomein, blinking rapidly at Amdirlain’s question.


    “Maybe I can, or maybe I’m just setting myself up to look silly,” teased Amdirlain.


    Nomein considered her for a moment before she nodded. “Know it would save me waiting for a healer after first meal.”


    Amdirlain held a hand near Nomein’s cheek, and the injury disappeared in a wash of Ki. The energy continued for a moment longer until Amdirlain felt a loose tooth re-establish itself.


    “You’re not really a Novice are you?” asked Nomein, pressing a hand to her face.


    “I’m already a Monk, but my style is different to what the Githzerai follow. While I also have some Psion experience, I’ve not received training beyond the bare minimum,” explained Amdirlain.


    Nomein gave her face a final rub. “Do you know the Zerthi fighting techniques?”


    “No, my unarmed combat style is very different, though I know the individual attacks and blocks,” admitted Amdirlain.


    “Know that since you are in our classes, Master Tenzin will insist you practice Zerthi with us—she’s very good at being insistent. Know it was nice talking with you—and getting healed—but I need to go pee,” whispered Nomein before she rose to follow the others. Her loose, still sleep-knotted bed hair looked uncontrolled compared to the tight braids or short cuts worn by most Novices.


    Breakfast was another simple meal, but smaller given the schedule had physical training afterwards. When they returned to the courtyard, the meditation mats had been removed, and the Novices filed past Master Tenzin to take up positions in lines ahead of her. Sarith was herding most members of their table into place, and yet, Gemiya seemed to herd her to stand beside Amdirlain.


    “Know Novice Amdirlain, you will swap with Novice Nomein, to avoid blocking the Novices behind you.”


    Glancing at Nomein, who’d taken up a position on her left, Amdirlain swapped to the end of their line. The layout had the familiarity of the dojo, but the bow they gave was quite different. Inclining their heads respectfully, they brought up their left hand to touch their fingertips lightly to their foreheads in time with the bow. After returning the gesture, Master Tenzin started static stretches, and the Novices followed suit. Although she wasn’t at risk of injury, Amdirlain did likewise to avoid disrupting the class.


    The focus on her physical movements sent a shudder up her spine. Memories of meditating to the timing of finger motions while damned screams rose from the blood plains taunted her. Piece by piece, while the exercises continued, she tried to disassemble the memory in the fashion Ellniya had instructed.


    “Start.”


    The single word was enough for the first row to turn left and run for the courtyard’s wall, and Amdirlain felt Master Tenzin’s will alter it. A section of the courtyard’s lower wall blurred from a rectangle into an oval. The first Novice’s steps set their feet flat against the wall, and gravity shifted under them. The wall itself became their running track.


    “Know Novice Amdirlain, that you are to go higher on the wall and push your pace.”


    With no idea why she was seeking to make her stand out, Amdirlain simply followed her instructions. When her turn placed her on the wall, she passed the others on their right in an exaggerated velodrome. Their motions were so comparatively slow that she frequently lapped them. Each time she turned her attention towards the fluid movements of her running to stop herself from paying attention to the growing discomfort she saw among many Novices. She wasn’t sure how many dozens of kilometres she’d run by the time they returned to their positions.


    Amdirlain ground her teeth silently and tried to ignore the looks exchanged among the class. Going so far as to remove her concealed eyes, she missed the looks of determination that appeared among them.


    “Know I will show each technique, then you will all repeat them with me. Know you will each execute the techniques in time with me, except for Novice Amdirlain,” said Tenzin. A few murmurs among the Novices drew Tenzin’s notice and after they fell silent, she continued on focused on Amdirlain. “Know you are to start with a mere twelve in the time taken for their one, then increase your count from there while you have time.”


    The Novices struggled to keep pace with Tenzin, the awkwardness provided a familiar experience, but her own speed cast it aside. The snap of her precise movements made the robe’s cloth sound like a saw with its constant crackling. For Amdirlain, it was thousands of punches, strikes, kicks, and blocks later before the lesson wrapped up.


    “Know I need a moment of your time, Novice Amdirlain,” said Master Tenzin, raising her voice slightly above the low chatter of the Novices heading for the door


    Amdirlain slipped around the Novices and bowed respectfully like the Novice had used earlier. “Master Tenzin.”


    [Diplomacy (13->14)]


    “Know I’ve written up a list of techniques that build upon those you’ve already learnt. Know that since you didn’t have a specific requirement other than for Psychoportation, I’ve included some variants in your options, along with explanations,” Tenzin said, and presented Amdirlain a scroll.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    “I appreciate your guidance, Master Tenzin.”


    “Know I’ve passed a copy onto Master Duurth who is now conducting the Psionic classes for this group,” said Tenzin, and she motioned Amdirlain to head inside.


    “Would I be able to speak to you about the purpose of your instructions, Master Tenzin?”


    “Know you might be best speaking to Master Duurth after his class,” Tenzin replied and turned away.


    “Know the rest of us normally bathe now, but you look like you’ve not shed a drop of sweat,” said Zenya. The words were the first Amdirlain had heard from the quiet Novice. Zenya looked like she’d fallen fully dressed into a swimming pool. Her short black hair was stuck flat to her scalp, almost a cap of sweat, yet her grey eyes were bright with a runner’s rush. The multiple layers of her clothing were soaked through in places


    Zenya wiped her hands across gaunt cheeks to shed trails of sweat and looked up at Amdirlain again. “Know that our table serves this next meal, so I thought I should let you know.”


    “I appreciate the forewarning,” said Amdirlain.


    Zenya gave a brisk nod and moved towards the door, but stopped to look back at Amdirlain. “Know I appreciate you healing Nomein; she gave me a fright stepping into my punch.”


    The chatter within the passageway almost drowned out the Novice’s quiet voice.


    “Anytime,” replied Amdirlain and she received a hesitant smile.


    Since there was nowhere she needed to be, Amdirlain headed directly to the refectory to avoid being last again. The refectory was expectedly empty and neat, and Amdirlain stood behind her chair with her hands on its backrest. Rather than sit, she simply stood in place using the room’s quiet to seek a calm mindset. Her vain efforts ended when Sarith appeared beside her sometime later with her hair still drying, and the others quickly took their spots around the table.


    “Know you should just get the food for our table, so you don’t -,” muttered Sarith


    The glare she received from Gemiya stopped whatever Sarith had been about to say. “Know we alternate the tables served and you should get to know the others. Know if you handle the next table towards the crescent’s middle, I’ll get our food.”


    Gemiya took the lead towards the serving hutch, and when she slid the hatch open, Amdirlain got her first clear sight of it. It didn’t extend into a kitchen, but a dumb waiter set up with trays of food stacked on shelves. Gemiya took a tray and carefully stepped off to one side, and the others followed her example before moving to a table. Sarith in line before Amdirlain took a tray and stepped towards the closest table, holding the tray out so that the Novices could claim their meals.


    When Amdirlain arrived at the table Gemiya had said to handle, the shy smile from the first Novice was unexpected, but she returned it before moving along. Though some looked at her warily, they simply glanced at the monitoring stare of Master Tenzin and took their meals peacefully. Each of them gave a polite nod of thanks when they claimed their meal from the tray.


    Big sister is watching, so everyone plays nice.


    [Sense Motive [M](10)]


    Yeah, thanks. I get that it was obvious. Do you monitor more than just the three of us?


    [Perception [M](45)


    Note: Millions, but most aren’t special snowflakes that get notifications, yet still want to strangle me.]


    Amdirlain followed the example of earlier meals, set the empty tray into the middle of the table, and returned to her spot. The food was filling, but no one looked ready to fall asleep from overeating.


    Do they use Chaos shaping to craft the food or keep gardens that produce ingredients?


    Unlike the previous training session, they didn’t move en masse to the next class, but headed into another building with the Novices from another table. The windowless rectangular classroom appeared as if a solid piece of grey marble, unlike the stone tiles that made up most areas of the monastery. It had a crescent of seats set within it arrayed with a single line before the room’s long wall. They had all just taken seats when Master Duurth simply appeared before them, the abruptness of his arrival startling the surrounding Novices.


    “Know that I, Master Duurth, will instruct this class going forward. Know that I’m aware of each of your names and your progress,” said Duurth. “Know that I will continue Master Nirkhar’s lessons with some alterations.”


    A raised finger from Sarith received a gesture from Duurth, and she practically spat out her question. “Is this disruption because of Novice Amdirlain?”


    “Know that you seem to be the one intent on disrupting things, but her presence among your number warrants some changes.”


    “If she’s so powerful, why is she with us?” asked Sarith, not waiting for Duurth to acknowledge her again.


    Duurth looked at her flat, but though Sarith swallowed audibly, the aggressive set of her posture didn’t shift. “Know you are a Novice, not a Master. Know a focus on what you need to learn is advised, rather than objecting to your seniors’ decisions.”


    Duurth stopped and looked over the class before he pointed towards a yellowish-brown skin girl at the end of the line. “Novice Lezekus, what is an important part of progressing psionic abilities?”


    Suddenly at the centre of attention, Lezekus fidgeted with the loose end of a black corn-row braid that barely reached her shoulder. “Know that Master Nirkhar said it’s essential to plan out techniques as it can lead to a greater understanding rather than unconnected trinkets easily tossed aside by another’s focus.”


    “Know that is correct; today we’ll work through an example of a plan. Do I have your permission to use the draft guidance Master Tenzin prepared for you, Novice Amdirlain?” asked Duurth, though he didn’t turn towards her.


    “I’ve not yet taken the time to read it, Master Duurth, but I have no objections,” replied Amdirlain and she pulled the scroll out of Inventory.


    Master Duurth suddenly had a scroll in his hand and motioned with it. “Know I’ll use the copy she provided to me. Know I’ll start with the first elements you learnt, and what you’ve learned since last we met, and progress from there.”


    Six wide columns suddenly appeared—etched into the marble wall—topped with the names of the different psionic skills. The names of the first techniques Duurth had taught her appeared under their related Skill.


    “Know these are the original set of techniques I assisted Novice Amdirlain in learning a little while ago. Does anyone have observations?”


    Everyone raised their left-hand pointer finger in the same fashion Sarith had done. The controlled motion didn’t reach overhead, just a gesture at shoulder height to catch attention.


    The moment Duurth motioned to Zenya, she winced and spoke in a quiet voice. “Know I believe they all have combat applications, but most would be hard to practice outside combat situations.”


    “Know that is correct, Novice Zenya, only the ectoplasm creation and telekinetic attacks allow for practice without a living target. Would someone else suggest a reason why you might start with these techniques?” asked Duurth. “Know that your physical training lesson should provide insight.”


    “Is it because Novice Amdirlain was already in situations where she was fighting, so she’d be able to find foes?” asked Nomein.


    “Know that the techniques selected are useful in close-quarters combat. Novice Amdirlain, which of these techniques have you used the least, versus the most?”


    “Coating a surface with ectoplasm, I’ve used the least and danger precognition the most,” answered Amdirlain without having to pause.


    A symbol appeared against the two techniques, and Duurth motioned to her again. “Would you explain why?”


    “With the ectoplasm technique, I’ve not been in situations where positional hazards have been worth the effort. Danger precognition is most because I’m always sticking my nose into dangerous places. Even when my Danger Sense has been suppressed, it hasn’t been countered, nor does it matter if my opponents lack living minds,” answered Amdirlain.


    Duurth listened without interruption and nodded when she fell silent. “What was the original plan for learning the ectoplasm technique?”


    “To set up a hazard to hamper approaching foes, but since then, most of my combat hasn’t provided a suitable landscape for it,” replied Amdirlain


    “What do we learn from this?” asked Duurth and he motioned to Sarith when she started to raise her hand.


    “That we shouldn’t let Novice Amdirlain suggest useless skills to us?” Sarith asked with a sharp look at Amdirlain


    “Know it is I that suggested the technique to Novice Amdirlain,” chided Duurth dryly, and Sarith swallowed nervously. “Novice Amdirlain, what does it tell you?”


    “Just because you have a plan, life doesn’t have to cooperate. You use the tools you have, but don’t get fixated on something that you want to be useful,” replied Amdirlain and she gave a rueful smile. “I wanted to see some foes dumped on their arses, but I’ve not been fighting in passages.”


    Clairvoyance and then sense link techniques appeared under Clairsentience and received puzzled looks from most Novices. Master Duurth motioned to Gemiya who’d signalled first.


    “Why would you learn both?” asked Gemiya. “Know I would think learning the clairvoyance technique sufficient.”


    Duurth motioned her to Amdirlain. “Know you can reply to the enquiry, Novice Amdirlain.”


    “Clairvoyance I learnt for scouting areas; I learnt sense link because it allows me to determine what a foe can sense. It allows you to tap into any of an individual’s senses, including vibration sense. Keep in mind that some creatures don’t use sight, and invisibility techniques don’t muffle air movements or ground vibration. Also, while it’s within the clairsentience Skill, the technique borders on Telepathy, so I wanted to see if there would be synergies in its use that some writing suggested.”


    “Did you find that was the case?”


    “To me, it seemed to be the case, but I imagine if they’d possess mental shielding, it’d have negated it,” said Amdirlain.


    Duurth nodded at her comment, and Taunt appeared listed under Telepathy, causing a few Novices to glance at Amdirlain.


    “I learnt it to make things want to hit me instead of targeting more delicate folks around me,” admitted Amdirlain.


    “Know you don’t look able to handle being beaten up. Know that while you’re fast, our family has multiple Psychic Warriors that could likely break you with a finger,” declared Sarith. Her attention locked onto Amdirlain, and she didn’t look away despite the reproving glare that Duurth immediately fixed on her.


    My ‘insert-relative’ can beat you up?


    “Master Duurth, do the Githzerai have something that shows a person’s capabilities?” asked Amdirlain, suddenly curious if they had anything like the plates Yngvarr had worked with the Elven and Dwarven Artificers to establish.


    He gave a sharp nod, not lifting his scrutiny from Sarith, who started shifting uncomfortably. “Know there are psi-crystals that can read an individual’s capabilities and allow others to share that understanding. Know psi-crystal theory is an advanced topic for future discussion.”


    Amdirlain nodded her thanks, but spoke when he still hadn’t looked her way. “Thank you, Master Duurth.”


    “Going to boast now?” asked Sarith quarrelsomely.


    Amdirlain didn’t even look at her, but exhaled softly while Naz’rilca’s voice echoed in her mind. “I’m not here to prove anything Sarith, the decision to put me in a class setting wasn’t mine.”


    “Know you are to remain silent now, Novice Sarith; you may ask questions next lesson if you discover your manners before then,” declared Duurth. “Does Taunt build off another on this list, Novice Gemiya?”


    “Isn’t it an extension of breaking a foe’s focus, but rather than distracting them, you’re implanting an aggression fixation for yourself?”


    “Know that is correct,” said Duurth, and looked again at Sarith. “Know when you prepare your plan in the weeks ahead, you will be the first to share it for the class’s mutual review.”


    The list vanished and the skills appeared in a circle, around them, overlapping circles were etched showing the area of influence that joined two or more skills. “Know that in each Skill or discipline, there are techniques that need to be built up from others to realise their utmost potential. Know also—as Novice Amdirlain mentioned—some techniques you will find supported by your capabilities within another Skill even if you don’t know a related technique within it.”


    When Master Duurth reached the end of the few techniques she had learnt so far, there was a surprised murmur from the Novices before he continued through Tenzin’s suggested plan. Amdirlain focused on the theory Master Duurth started covering and how the structure of the mental techniques in each discipline built up.


    The discussion ranged across the disciplines at a high level. It touched on their multiple synergies, providing her an opportunity to integrate the knowledge she’d gained from buying Psionic Lore. The information within her shifted and organised itself while she considered the points he raised. Amdirlain motioned for Duurth’s attention when the class ended but waited for the others to leave.


    “Might I know the reason behind Master Tenzin’s instructions at this morning’s lesson, Master Duurth?” enquired Amdirlain.


    Duurth considered her for a moment, and the latest notes disappeared. “Know your presence in these classes will serve multiple purposes, including for those besides yourself. Can you guess what those might be?”


    “Some of them are going to hold themselves to standards they can’t meet,” argued Amdirlain.


    “Know many of those will seek to leave before they progress beyond the basics; this will simply speed up the process,” countered Duurth.


    “You expected that result. Why am I not surprised? Given time, those that quit might have developed the confidence to continue,” asserted Amdirlain.


    “Know that an individual’s choice will always determine the path they take upon realising there are others far stronger. Did not my teaching show you at least one of them?” sought Duurth.


    Amdirlain considered the way he pursued his enquiries during the class.


    “They’ll see that even powerful individuals can make mistakes or simply not plan for everything?” asked Amdirlain. “Is that why you made it clear when the plan reached the end of the techniques I’d learnt?”


    “Know I expect five primary reactions: inspiration, caution, awareness, rejection, and fear. Know that those who see inspiration will set goals to match your feats, and those learning to be cautious might not die from arrogance upon graduation.”


    “What’s the difference between rejection and fear?”


    “Know that rejection will inspire them to prove you have flaws, but you already know you possess them so their words should mean little. Know the fearful will lash out or use it as an excuse to quit.”


    Master Duurth vanished with those words, and Amdirlain huffed to herself. “You didn’t tell me what you meant by an awareness reaction.”


    The moment Amdirlain stepped into the hall, Gemiya spoke up from where she stood by the door. “Do you believe any of us can become strong like you one day?”


    A glance showed the passage was nearly empty, with only Gemiya, and Nomein still present from the class.


    “I’d suggest focusing on being the best you can, and not worry on comparing to someone else,” said Amdirlain.


    “Know that except for your odd phrasing, you sounded like a Master,” protested Gemiya. “Know that our next lesson room is one floor up from here.”


    Gemiya pulled a face at her own words, yet Nomein nodded, which made Amdirlain curious. “What subject do you have today?”


    “Maths,” grumbled Gemiya.


    “Maths,” Nomein burbled and poked Gemiya’s side.


    “Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with Master Duurth?”


    Gemiya brightened at the question, but Nomein clamped a hand over her mouth before she could reply. “Know that listening into another’s private conversation is rude. What sort of Novices do you take us for?”


    “You know that your hand on her mouth answered the question,” said Amdirlain and she smiled at Nomein’s eye roll.


    Gemiya slipped free of Nomein’s hand and moved to Amdirlain’s side. “Know that you were so close to a proper structure in your reply, if only you hadn’t started it with ''you''.”


    “Know that it was quite obvious you were speaking about us,” said Nomein. “Why add the additional word?”


    Amdirlain quickly booped Nomein’s nose and got a stern look from her. “Know that I’ll keep this in mind.”


    “Know that there is some hope for you, Novice Amdirlain,” laughed Gemiya, only for her expression to turn glum the moment she moved towards the stairs. “Maths. Why maths?”


    “Know it’s so you can add up all the debt your sister’s mouth will attract,” teased Nomein, the reply having an oft-repeated flow.


    [Achievement: Entitled


    Condition: Faithful’s belief has expanded your Portfolio


    Reward: Additional Title (Lady of Mana)]


    What have they been up to?


    Following Gemiya, she took a moment to send a message to Echo via Oath Link. “Would you know why they consider me the Lady of Mana?”


    His enthusiastic response came before she’d even reached the stairs.


    “Mirage visited and helped many soldiers gain the Fire Affinity using your Harmony approach and taught them a basic spell each. She mentioned how easily you could help scores gain their Affinities simultaneously. There was a Valkyrie at your Domain that mentioned she needs to relay a message from Torm to Ebusuku.”


    An unneeded breath hitched in her throat when a host of potential problems requiring backup rose in her mind. Casting each one aside with a mantra of facts, she hoped her nervous reaction had cleared before she replied.


    “Thank you, Echo. Ebusuku was heading to Duskstone but she might have already left.”