《Slivers of Mastery》


 Chapter 1

    Ducking and weaving Tony was making his way towards the lift. All around him were exclamations from fellow employees as he barged past them all out of breath. At the elevator, he sees that all the lifts are already engaged with a bunch of people already waiting to be transported all over the building. Looking around frantically he sees the service elevator (the one that everyone claims is haunted). Desperate Tony rushed to the left, jamming his finger into the button hoping and praying it would come quicker. See Tony is late for the most important meeting of his life. He has recently been earmarked as a candidate for manager training school at the local branch of an international banking conglomerate. As part of the package, he would be fast tracked on the manager course where he would go on training for 3 months with all the other most promising candidates of the international conglomerate. Currently Tony''s only a low-level customer service adviser. He mainly assists with the opening of accounts and other such mundane tasks. With a loud ring, the service elevator opens up, dust spilling out of the roof panels. Tony hesitates on his chosen route. But there''s no longer any other option! Stepping quickly Tony misses the height gap between the elevator and the shaft. In tripping over the gap he slams his hand into the top floor button for the training area. With a crack, the old plastic breaks and a flash throws Tony against the opposite wall. Crumbling to his hands and knees Tony blearily shakes his head. Coughing from silver smoke Tony struggles to catch his breath.


    ¡°What is this... cough cough¡­ stuff?¡± Tony sputters.


    Finally able to breathe enough to stand up again Tony stumbles out of the elevator. Down the hall, the last trainees State at him as he stumbles closer. Catching sight of himself in the hallway mirror he is surprised to see he isn''t covered in dust. Behind his eyes, there is a flash of blueish white for a moment. Shaking his head at the absurdity of it all he makes his way to the training hall.


    ¡°Welcome candidates!¡± an obese man in a penguin suit calls from a podium set up on the stage to the left of Tony. Facing the man are rows of meeting-room seats half-filled with nervous faces. Quickly finding a seat at the back Tony starts paying attention. After some curious looks, most of the other people turn to the front as well after the man in front clears his throat loudly.


    ¡°As I was saying, welcome candidates to the best opportunity of your lives! I am Jonathan. You are in most cases the best and brightest our company has to offer!¡± a pained expression flashes across his face,¡± You will all undergo extensive training at our exclusive training academy in the Mariepskop in South Africa. You will be taught how to lead the people under you.¡± Tony sees the only three other guys eyeing the ladies in the room and snickering. Sighing Jonathan continues¡± This might also be the time I introduce you to the facility manager. Please welcome Miss Adams!¡±.


    Next to the snickering threesome, a motherly Asian woman stands up. Short at about 1.6 meters tall with an ageless face the growing miss Adams walked to the front of the room ignoring the pedestal behind which a bemused Jonathan was standing.


    Smiling serenely Miss Adams starts speaking: ¡°Morning everyone. For starters could the gentlemen in the middle please stand up?¡± As the three smiling mockers stand up Miss Adams continues. ¡°As you all could see these 3 gentlemen laughed about having someone working under them. As such I believe they are a risk to this great company for a sexual assault lawsuit. Gentlemen you are excused from this meeting and unfortunately do not meet our requirements for management material. Please leave the room and return to your previous still existences. If possible please also leave our employ but that is for you to decide. Goodbye!¡± Shuffling the three idiots leave the room not making eye contact with anyone. Once the door slams closed miss Adams continues.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°As you all know this is a prestigious company with a long history of providing some of the best services irrespective of the industry we operate in. This program has been designed with your future in mind. We will teach you everything we know about people, marketing, accounting, the various cultures we encounter on a daily basis as will add keep your bodies for while we do so. You might ask why all this? Simple, a healthy body breeds a healthy mind and a balanced individual bring this amazing company sustainable profits.¡± She finishes with a beatific smile. ¡°Please come and fetch the information packs from the front, they contain all you need to know. Please make sure you fill in the checklist prior to your pickup date as we will not take unprepared individuals. Have a nice day.¡±


    Walking to the front of the room with other candidates Tony stumbles over something soft. ¡°Aghhh!!¡± Finding himself on his hands and knees for the second time in under an hour Tony looks up into the tightest the greenest eyes he has ever seen. Surrounded by a beautiful frowning face. Wait. ¡°Oh, Shit!¡± Tony exclaims, ¡°I am sorry, I tripped over something again.¡± Smiling the redhead starts speaking in a sweet voice, ¡° Don¡¯t worry, it is an old handbag. I am Casey by the way.¡± Blushing Tony hurriedly gets to his feet, extending his hand, ¡° I am Tony, sorry again!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, see you at the training.¡± Brushing past Tony Casey picks up her somewhat disheveled handbag and information pack and walks out of the hall. Frowning Tony fetches his information pack. ¡°I really need to get a handle on this sudden clumsiness!¡± Tony fumes.


    Getting home to his 2 bedroom apartment Tony looks around at the bare walls. ¡°I need to liven up the place¡±, he thinks for the thousandth time. Opening the pack Tony sees the list has mostly mundane items. Some exercise clothes, hat, toiletries and duster. ¡°Why the hell would we need a duster? Oh right, probably a duster jacket, not an actual duster.¡± Tony laughs at his own idiocy. Slouching on his couch Tony puts on a documentary about lions in the savanna. Yawning he gets comfortable.


    ¡°Tony, can you hear me? Focus on the sound of my voice. That¡¯s it. Focus!¡± A strange voice demanded urgently.


    ¡°What??¡± Tony blearily yawned. ¡°Who is that? Come out or I¡¯ll kick your ass!¡± He shouts standing up and moving to the knives in the kitchen. Grabbing one and quickly checking the kitchen for intruders Tony faces the room.


    ¡°Tony, relax! There is no one here. I am a voice in your head. Just focus on my voice for a second, there, can you see me now?¡± The voice says softly, seemingly trying to be soothing.


    In front of Tony, a hazy image outline of a woman materializes. More outline than detail but damn! What an outline!


    ¡°What the hell is going on here??¡± Tony shouts angrily.

 Chapter 2

    ¡°I am Tanya and I am inside your mind, muhwahahaha!¡± She theatrically laughs. ¡°Just kidding, sort of.¡± She whispers at the end. ¡°I was jumped into your mind when you Finally! broke that button allowing me to co-inhabit your body. I. Am. In. You!¡± Milking the crazy laugh she starts drifting closer to Tony.


    ¡°You mean you are only in my mind?¡± Tony starts smiling. ¡° Does that mean if I ignore you, you will fade away?¡± Tony is openly grinning now, putting his arms back and leaning on the kitchen counter.


    ¡°Uhm, yes and please please don¡¯t do that??¡± Tanya suddenly pleads as her plan backfires. ¡°I''ll be a good girl, to you anyway, from now on.¡± She clarifies.


    ¡°Who are you, what are you and what do you want?¡±Tony demands.


    ¡°Like I said, I am Tanya.¡± She whispers timidly.¡±I am a lesser succubus or at least I was. I was summoned by a warlock to be his familiar but the idiot didn''t do his homework on summoning properly which caused me to be cursed into that elevator. I have been in there for 30 years!¡± She exclaims.


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®lesser¡¯? Will you steal my soul now succubus?¡± Tony says with sweat forming on his brow.


    ¡°No, the curse stripped me of all fleshly powers. The idiot wanted to trap me in a lock of hair held in a ring. But he mispronounced the word for ring in demonic and instead said wall while inside the elevator. So I was trapped in the circuits of the elevator. And no inside the electrical currents of your brain. All I have left is knowledge.¡± Tanya bemoans her fate.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°What knowledge are you talking about? I didn¡¯t even know demons existed for crying out loud!!¡± Tony says while clinging to the kitchen counter for support.


    Scowling Tanya exclaims ¡° Don¡¯t you know anything about demons? Magic? Nothing?! By the Screams of the Merciful Whip! You are ignorant beyond belief! Lesser Succubi are the magic users of Hell. We are the least important in terms of battle as most major demons are immune to spells except the most devastating 5th level workings done by a coven of Greater Succubi linked with a coven of Incubi. Since we succubi don¡¯t even get along with each other these workings are almost never done. Greater Succubi are warriors of the highest caliber known for speed and accuracy and their skills as assassins. All demons are created with the skills and knowledge inside of them but only by growing in power do we ¡®remember¡¯ them. Then we train until we master either the skill, weapon or magical spell. Magic is all around you, although your world is called a dry world. Your world receives very little mana from the Nether and Higher realms as the portals between our worlds are few and almost never opened. Mana, the building blocks of all spells and the requirement for magical creatures, is a self replicating substance. What I can sense of your world through you the formal linking of our worlds will only happen in another 50 years.¡± Tanya sighs as she finishes her tutoring.


    ¡°Tanya, you just made my brain melt from all that, but that doesn¡¯t answer the biggest concern I have. HOW DO I GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD???¡± Tony suddenly explodes.


    ¡°Well, if there was enough mana and you had the skill and spell you could conjure a body for me which would get me out of your head temporarily. But you don¡¯t have the skill, spell or enough mana so you are stuck with me. Deal with it. You''re not crazy but shouting like a demonic bull at a fresh cow is pointless.¡± Tanya sniffs.


    Crumpling in defeat Tony rests his head on his knees. Silent tears of helplessness roll down his cheeks.Tanya slowly kneels at his side and soothingly pats Tony¡¯s back. Startled Tony looks up with red rimmed eyes.


    ¡°How can I feel you touching me if you are a voice inside my head?¡±


    ¡°I can directly stimulate your brain, although you can¡¯t touch me and I can¡¯t touch you I can make you feel my touch. Sorry, thought you understood the being in the electrical current of your brain part¡­¡± Tanya softly explains. ¡° Come, let¡¯s get you to bed, you will feel better when you wake up.¡± Or so Tanya hopes, if Tony loses his grip on sanity she will be stuck in a crazy person¡¯s brain till he dies. Even Tony¡¯s death would not free her automatically. She might become stuck in Limbo between worlds until the two worlds link permanently.


    Shuffling to bed Tony lies down with a sigh, hoping that this is all just a weird dream from working too hard.

 Chapter 3

    ¡°TONY WAKE UP!!!!¡±


    Jumping across the room Tony stumbles over his shoes from yesterday.


    ¡°What the hell?! Tanya, was that really necessary? You almost gave me a heart attack.¡± Tony shouts angrily.


    ¡°No need to shout out loud remember, I am already inside your mind. Just think the words.¡± Tanya sighs.¡±Never mind the shouting. Your time is different than in Hell! Your world is linking with mine much sooner! You only have 50 days, not years! Mana is leaking into your world at an increasing rate! You''re not ready, your world isn''t ready. You need training!¡± Panicking Tanya¡¯s voice catches.


    ¡°50 days till what?¡±


    ¡°50 days till your world and mine will be permanently linked! Demons will be able to come to your world.¡± Almost breathless Tanya whispers¡± Creatures from your myths will become real. Every creature you have ever heard about, read about, fought on your computer or even thought about will become real!¡± Upset Tanya continues ¡°we need to start training. Don''t you get it Tony? When our worlds link monsters will walk the Earth¡­¡±


    ¡°Ok, ok. You have me awake now.¡± Tony shakes his head. ¡±I still think I need to be booked into the nut house soon. Prove to me that this is all real, that I am not due to see flying green pigs the rest of my life?¡± Tony frowns. Probably worried about how he would look in scrubs.


    Slowly Tanya materialises at the bottom of Tony¡¯s bed. ¡°Want to become a Jedi, Tony?¡±


    ¡°What are you on about Tanya? I already think I lost my mind, or suffering from hallucinations from poison, probably from the papercut I got last week.¡± Tony glares at the offending plaster. ¡°As much fun as this has been either prove to me conclusively that this is all real, or prepare to be Prozac-ed into oblivion.¡± Tony flails his arms around.


    ¡°You look like a chicken doing something that only teenage boys usually do. Relax!¡± Tanya walks closer. Sitting down next to a stiff Tony she gently brushes his hair.


    ¡°Tony, are you a virgin?¡± Tanya smiles.


    ¡°No!¡± Tony angrily tries pushing Tanya away. Tanya giggles as his hands pass right through her.


    ¡°That tickles, silly man. Don¡¯t be so offended!¡± Tanya pouts at Tony¡¯s scowling face. ¡°Nothing wrong with being a virgin. We all were once.¡± Tanya laughs as Tony starts blushing. ¡°Not a lot of fun being a virgin but we can work on that.¡± Frowning again Tony moves to his cupboard. ¡°Can you turn around please?¡± Tony asks politely, still a healthy shade of red.


    Turning away Tanya smiles. Tony grabs his navy jeans, red long sleeve button-up shirt, and starts undressing quickly. Looking down Tony sees his slight paunch. Frowning Tony moves to his bathroom. As he gets in the shower Tony realises he didn¡¯t bring a towel.


    ¡°Dammit!¡± Tony angrily starts washing his hair.


    ¡°What is it Tony? You forgot to iron your undies or something?¡± Tanya mocks him.


    ¡°Hey! I don¡¯t iron my undies, only my pajamas ok?!¡± Tony sputters as his shampoo gets into his eyes. Rinsing his face Tony continues ¡°I forgot to bring a towel, that¡¯s all.¡± Tony starts shaving. Once he is done in the shower he shouts to Tanya ¡°I am coming out, please stay turned around as I dry up and get dressed? No funny business!!¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Tanya giggles but is turned around when Tony starts towelling himself down. Tony glances at Tanya to check she really isn¡¯t watching him. Tanya sits in profile on his bed. Tony frowns as he realises her profile looks real nice¡­ Definitely a woman! Looking down Tony realises he might need to take another shower.


    ¡°Tony my dear¡± Tanya says in a sing song voice, ¡°thank you for the compliment, but please get dressed now so I can start getting convinced I am real?¡±


    ¡°What compliment?¡± Tony mutters suspiciously as he starts to pull up his underwear.


    ¡°Well, let me give you a tip¡± Tanya tries to keep back a snort, ¡°when I said I am in your mind I really meant it. That means ¡°Tanya is clearly having difficulty breathing¡± that¡­. What you see¡­. And feel¡­. And think¡­.¡± Tanya bursts out laughing as Tony lights up like a neon stop light.


    ¡°So you know about Mr Obiwan?? Shit!!¡± Tony trips over his briefs. Frantically getting dressed Tony glares at Tanya¡¯s outline as she rolls on the bed laughing. Not exactly what he thought of to see when he thought of a woman rolling around in his bed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get some coffee, ok? This morning has been embarrassing enough. I¡¯ll only speak to you in my mind ok? Either I am crazy or the world is, but I would like to know today still. I hate this uncertainty.¡± Still giggle Tanya follows Tony outside. Crossing the street Tony enters a local coffee shop. Open 24 Hours shows on the door. Inside Tony sees the crowd is the normal university students mixed with the young executive¡¯s crowd.


    Getting a table in the back of the cafe Tony thinks at Tanya ¡° WHAT NOW??¡±


    ¡°No need to shout, you idiot! I already saw you naked¡­¡± Blushing again, Tony can hear the smile in Tanya¡¯s voice.


    ¡°What now? You have until my cappuccino get¡¯s here to prove to me you, and everything you said is real.¡± Tony frowns.


    ¡°Ok, ok, keep your lightsaber off¡­ I mean your pants on!¡± Tanya playfully stimulates Tony¡¯s neck, gently massaging the strain away.


    ¡°Ok fine, you have had your fun, start talking.¡±


    ¡°To prove to you that I am real, and you are only crazy in your name for Mr Obiwan, I want you to pick any person you can see that needs to be taken down a peg¡±.


    As Tony looks around the coffee shop he sees a man and woman sitting outside on the cafe¡¯s terrace. The man seems to be critiquing the woman on her choice of lunch. Scowling Tony growls in his mind ¡°I have someone. I always hate it when people give me crap for my choices in food.¡±


    ¡°Good, good. So I am going to teach you how real magic works. Not all the Hocus Pocus, incantations and other nonsense your literature seems to be so full of. Real magic is all about having mana being able to visualise in detail what you want and willing that effect to happen. You have mana due to me being in your head. Once we joined my presence opened the conduits in your body to start pooling mana and also to absorb the mana in the air around us.¡±


    ¡°That all sound reasonable Tanya, but doesn¡¯t tell me an awful lot about what use it is? What can I do with mana? How do I do it?¡± Tony sighs thinking this will be his last cappuccino as a free man.


    ¡°Ok, focus on that jerk over there. You first try at magic will be weak as you have never done magic before, after this you will need to careful to focus exactly on what effect your want as well as how big of an effect you want, the power you use etc.¡± Tanya explains in her best impression of a slutty school teacher.


    ¡°Thanx Tanya, please tone down the sluttyness ok? I can¡¯t exactly focus if the blood is rushing out of my brain.¡± Tony mind-whispers. ¡°So, if I understand you that means, if I imagine the wind messing up his hair then that will happen? I just need to visualize it and focus?¡± Tony says with clear doubt in his mind-voice.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it! Exactly like that, I''ll walk you through this first time and then we can have some fun with it, ok?¡± Nodding his head Tony realises he is nodding at a voice in his head.


    ¡°So I want you to have a quick hard look at the man, look and try and remember all the detail you can. You don¡¯t need to get the colour of his eyes right, but all the things around him you should be able to picture in some detail.¡± Tanya instructs Tony, slowly lowering her voice¡± No I want you to close your eyes for this first time, visualise a strong wind blowing from behind his head towards the table.¡± Tony nods his head again but keeps focussing beyond the blush creeping up his neck. ¡°Ok now I want you to will a purple wind, the strongest wind to blow exactly behind his head towards the table. Let the pressure build as you focus all the more on the vision in your mind. As you feel that you will almost lose control just will the vision you have to merge with the picture in front of you.¡± Tanya quiets down, giving Tony a chance to focus.


    Tony starts frowning, focusing on his vision. In his mind''s-eye he can see the wind pushing the jerk-off¡¯s face, into his bowl of soup. In his mind he builds up the power of the purple wind. Tony envisions the sound of the wind roaring. A torrent of purple strands rushing by the man¡¯s face. Tony brings his vision into overlay of his memory. BANG!! Startled Tony¡¯s eyes snap open. Outside the jerk is crawling on the ground, blood streaming from his nose. His suit covered in green lentil soup. Frantic waiters try and assist the man with napkins while his date quietly slips away smiling.


    ¡°What did I do??¡± Tony exclaims out loud, earning a confused look from a passing waitress.


    Smugly Tanya says ¡° Magic!!¡±

 Chapter 4

    As Tony opens the mahogany stained door to his apartment he is greeted by the familiar site of his apartment. On the left is his beige 3 seater couch he picked up from the local pawn shop. Across the couch is his black glass coffee table with his television mounted on the wall gathering dust. The right hand side of his apartment is given over to a small kitchen counter and with his sticker covered fridge inherited from his college days. Straight ahead is his bedroom with ensuite shower and toilet hidden by two fake walk in cupboard doors.


    Tony picks up the mail piled up in the entryway. Leafing through the envelopes he finds a large manilla envelope. In bold red ink the ¡°URGENT¡± sign shines like neon glow paint. Walking to the barstool at the kitchen counter Tony grabs a knife from the block.


    ¡°What is this? Probably another offer to ¡®invest¡¯ in some low-risk-but-in-reality-crap-property-investment brochure.


    As Tony slits the top open and take out the documents he realises it is an amended list of required clothing and gear for the training.


    ¡°What the hell do I need a duster for? They training us to be Harry Dresden?¡±


    In all the hubbub Tony almost forgot about the training. Tanya¡¯s translucent form starts materialising across from Tony in the kitchen. Leaning on the kitchen counter she starts reading the updated requirements with Tony. As Tony glances up from the list at Tanya he realises Tanya is no longer translucent. In fact, apart from a fading purple glow she is fully visible. Captivated by her emerald green eyes he realises she has a light dusting of freckles around her nose. Her lips are rose red and smiling. Her face is perched on a delicate neck below which -


    ¡°Your naked!¡± Tony spins around granting Tanya some privacy.


    ¡°Awesome!! I thought I would never be anything but a purple haze.¡± Tanya¡¯s eyes widen as she looks down at herself. It has been many, many years since she was able to see herself. Slowly Tanya slides her hands from her hips, over her flat stomach, crossing her arms over her breasts and giving herself a hug in delight. ¡°I can feel again! Thank you Tony!¡± Laughing Tanya runs around the counter, giving Tony a hug from his right.


    ¡°You are welcome.¡± Tony says looking to the left with his right arm trapped between two soft mounds. ¡°What happened? And how do I get you clothes if you are only in my head?¡±


    Laughing against his red neck Tanya decides to tease him a bit. Hugging him even tighter Tanya breathes in his neck. As her hands glide south Tony starts fidgeting and gasping.


    She can¡¯t be serious! Her ghost touch feels so real¡­


    As she reaches his belt buckle he spins around wildly staring into her eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that.¡± Tony gasps while holding his hands in front of his crotch.


    ¡°Don¡¯t I look pretty for you?¡± Tanya pouts while pushing her breasts up with her crossed arms.


    Trying not to stare at he figure Tony just repeats a mantra - ¡°green eyes, green eyes, green eyes.¡±


    ¡°You do! Just, please put on some clothes?¡± Tony says - ¡°otherwise I''ll never look at the walls again.¡±


    ¡°How about this?¡± Tanya says while twirling in tight, white yoga pants. Coming to a stop with her arms braced against the door. Looking over her right shoulder she smiles as Tony feels his heartbeat skyrocket.


    ¡±Or this?¡±


    As Tanya bends over in a cheerleader outfit Tony finds himself fascinated by the ceiling paintwork.


    Betrayed by his boy¡¯s reaction Tony says, ¡°That is fine, just keep the stretching for when I am in bed, ok?¡±


    Batting her eyelashes Tanya says in her best little girl voice, ¡° Oh mister, Tony, sir, I am not that kinda girl!¡±


    Stumbling, Tony retreats to the kitchen counter. Shaking his head to get his circulation in the right order again Tony sits on his kitchen counter. Taking the letter of requirements he tries to focus on what he needs to get for the 3 month trip.


    I can almost hear her laughing at my embarrassment.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Putting Tanya out of his mind, Tony goes through the long list in detail.


    After 15 minutes Tony warily looks up and says, ¡°Tanya, how good is your memory?¡±


    Tanya, once again dressed in yoga pants and sports bra, leans against the kitchen counter next to Tony.


    ¡±Why? Do you want to put your big pen on me?¡±


    Tony leans back and sighs, ¡°Can you help me or not?¡±


    As Tanya looks thoughtful Tony sees a flash of triumph on Tanya¡¯s face.


    What is she up to now? Her lips were smiling for a second, I am sure of it!


    ¡°Stop staring you grumpy man, my memory is fine. I do, however have a spell I could teach you. It would help even more than just using me to help you remember things, interested?¡±


    As Tony crosses his arms he starts tapping his chin. Tanya calmly smiles.


    What is she up to? She seems too calm. She will be training me so I should probably trust her on the magic side of things. Especially since all this magic stuff seems real.


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯m in. What do I do?¡±


    Tanya smiles and walks back towards the living room. ¡°Come join me,¡±


    Tony walks up to Tanya till they are an arm''s length apart, ¡±sit across from me,¡± When they are both settled Tanya holds out her hands. ¡°Take my hands, I won¡¯t bite,¡± Tony takes her hands with a blush creeping up his neck again.


    ¡±It is still weird that I can feel you yet you aren¡¯t really here¡± Tony says.


    ¡±Hush! You will get used to it. Now. Close your eyes. I need you to picture a stream of energy flowing in a figure eight between our hands.¡±


    Closing his eyes Tony draws a figure eight in his mind from his right hand to Tanya¡¯s right elbow. The purple stream goes through her abdomen, exits at her left elbow, through his abdomen, shifting the origin stream from his hand to his right elbow.


    ¡°Once you have the stream flowing, imagine the edges of the stream becoming a pipe. Not letting any excess energy out or new energy in.¡±


    Tony increases his focus. As he does, he sees the stream become a bar of purple light.


    ¡°Ok, I have a solid bar of light, what now?¡±


    ¡°Force your will down on the infinity symbol. Just like in the restaurant.¡± Tanya says.


    Tony opens his eyes as he forces his vision onto the world. For a moment there is a purple flash. When the purple stars clear from his vision Tony doesn¡¯t see Tanya anymore.


    ¡°Tanya, where are you?¡± With a tremble in his hands Tony backs onto his couch.


    What the hell just happened?


    Hi Tony, it¡¯s Tanya. You didn¡¯t kill me, but you might. I lied to you about what the spell did. Believe me when I say I am sorry that I lied to you. But this was the only way for us to be able to spar.


    What do you mean Tanya? Tony thinks at what he now recognises as Tanya in the back of his mind. She feels like a cold, soft ball of suede at the back of his mind.


    I kinda, sorta, just became your familiar. Not just a passenger anymore but a partner that also happens to serve you. Except I can¡¯t make coffee or send emails.


    Why didn¡¯t you tell me about this? Why can I not see you anymore?


    I wasn¡¯t sure whether you would agree to the spell if I told you upfront. You barely held it together about magic when I first appeared. You can see me, I¡¯m just hiding right now.


    Tanya, come out! As Tony finishes his thought purple light streams from his chest. As the light coalesces into a human sized oval there is a clear chime ringing in the air. In front of him Tanya stands looking at her toes wringing her hands.


    ¡°Are you going to whip me, Tony?¡±


    With his mouth falling open Tony says ¡°No!! I will never do that, not that I can since you''re just imaginary for all in-¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­ Well, you see¡­¡± Tanya shuffles her feet and glances at Tony before looking at her toes again,¡± I am now here physically. As a familiar I can materialise in corporeal form by using your own mana for my body.¡± Tanya says.


    I hope he isn¡¯t angry at me using his mana. Most mages would kill me for taking any of their mana.


    ¡°Does that mean I can¡¯t do spells anymore?¡±


    ¡°No,you just have about 2 percent less th--¡±


    ¡°Then why does it matter?¡± Tony says. ¡°I don¡¯t even know how much mana I have nor-¡±


    ¡°I can show you if you want?¡± Tanya says. ¡°I looked through some of your memories and have an idea. The spell connects your mana with your eyes and mind. This allows your mind to give you some individualised way to see your mana and other info. Other info depends on what your mind comes up with. I have to warn you this is a permanent spell, but it won¡¯t harm you, ever.¡±


    ¡°Can I trust y-¡±


    ¡°You can trust me Tony. From the moment I became your familiar my life is in your hands.¡±


    As Tony nods slowly he closes his eyes.


    Here goes nothing, either this works and she is for real or not.


    Slowly a gentle stream of purple mist flows from Tony¡¯s chest to his closed eyes. The purple mist coalesces into two swirling purple. Suddenly the pools implode with twin purple lance of light shooting into Tony¡¯s head.


    ¡°Aaahh!¡± Tony stumbles, hitting the couch with the back of his knees. ¡°I am blind your crazy demon!¡± Blinking furiously, Tony leans back on the couch. As his vision returns he gasps.


    ¡°I have a Heads-Up-Display!¡± At the top left of his vision he sees a translucent blue bar. Inside the bar there is a percentage figure of 98%. On his right there is a red bar with 100% inside. Focussing on Tanya he sees a green glow surround her. Gasping for joy Tony jumps up and hugs Tanya, eliciting a gasp from her.


    ¡°I am so glad you didn¡¯t blind me, I don¡¯t know wh-¡±


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Tanya stills him with a finger on his lips, ¡°it is alright now. I have given you the ability to know your own status. Can you see the glow around me¡± Tanya says while stepping back out of his embrace. Suddenly Tanya shifts her right foot back half a step. Throwing a quick punch just past Tony¡¯s surprised face, Tony sees Tanya flashing red for half a second before she glows gold again. With her hands on her hips she looks very proud of herself.


    ¡°And that is how you know someone means you harm, but only if you can see their actions or their intentions are obvious.¡± Tanya says while grinning at Tony.


    Damm, this girl is fast, Tony thinks to himself.


    ¡°Thank you for the lesson. Now can we please get the stuff I need for this course?¡± Tony says walking to grab his keys from the kitchen counter.


    ¡°Sure hun, just think of me moving to the ball at the back of your-¡± Tony focusses for a second on the sensation Tanya is describing. Tanya flows in a stream of purple energy into his chest.


    ¡°head. Nevermind, seems you already get this.¡±


    ¡°I am a quick study,¡± Tony thinks at Tanya while grabbing his wallet from the kitchen counter, ¡°Let us just get what we need for the training with the bank, ok?¡±


    ¡°Sure hon, when we get back I can really start training you in magic!¡±

 Chapter 5

    Throbbing through the passengers, the helicopter''s blades twirl through the mist. As always in Mariepskop, the mountain is covered in fine clouds with a generous helping of cold, cloying mist. Down below, surrounded by tropical forest interspersed with various clearings around rock pools, a washed out road is visible through the trees.


    Just forty minutes earlier the socially awkward Tony and fourteen other trainee candidates, all female after the departure of the three members of Idiots Inc, were picked up from the local Hoedspruit Air Force base after being delivered by a special charter plane. On arrival most of the ladies wished to explore, that is, until a Sergeant Major politely advised them all of the local Cheetahs. Used to humans but still wild, these alpha hunters are kept on the runway to discourage the local Fauna from sleeping on the warm tarmac during the night.


    As the mist clears Tony is greeted by an amazing view of greenery. The whole world seems to be forest below them.


    Do you think we will be able to go hiking, Tony?


    Not sure Tan-


    "Ladies and gentleman, please ensure your seatbelts are fastened," the pilot announces over everyone''s headsets," we are going to land in 2 minutes. Once we have landed please stay seated until the rotors stop. At that time you may disembark. Thank you for flying Dollar Air!"


    Grinning at the pilot''s sense of humor about working for a bank, Tony glances outside in hopes of a glimpse of the training facility. As the fog clears Tony sees a large open field. On the field, a helipad is marked out in the grass. On the western edge is the access road, and across from the field, there are some tennis courts and a swimming pool. Barely visible to Tony there is a 3 story structure to the north of the tennis courts. As the helicopter comes in for a final descent he sees getting from the field to the other buildings will be a pain.


    "How the hell will we climb all those stairs in wet weather?" One of the other trainees says over the headsets they are all wearing.


    With a slight thud the helicopter lands. As the other trainees start grabbing their bags there is a loud PING! Inside the passenger area.


    From hidden speakers, Miss Adams voice says, "Welcome to Mariepskop, everyone. Please wait for the rotors to stop, after which each person will be responsible for grabbing their bags. These will be unloaded by the flight crew. For those sensible among you now would be a good time to don your dusters to keep most of the moisture from your clothes. Please climb up the stairs across from the landing field, on your left is our hall where I will meet you all. Chop-chop!"


    After being called forward for their bags the group starts making their way across the field.


    "Lion!" someone yells pointing to the southern edge of the field.


    "What is a -"


    A problem. Large feline carnivore that hunts in packs. The females of the species are the main hunters. When you see one lion, there is usually 3 you don''t see.


    Swinging around Tony sees four slinking shapes moving through the tall grass at the other edge of the field. Tony immediately thinks of the restaurant and envisions four separate wind lances engulfing the lionesses. As in the restaurant, he builds his vision, totally focussed on the lionesses being picked up and thrown back into the trees.


    Tanya blurts out, "You are not read-"


    Tony releases his magic as the world turns black.


    Sometime later...


    Trying to grab his pounding head Tony realizes he is no longer on the grass in the field. This is due to the feeling of cotton sheets on the back of his hand. As the red strobe in his eyes fades Tony cautiously opens his eyes. As he focusses on what he is seeing he finds himself back in his bedroom in his apartment. Turning his head to the right he sees a demoness sleeping next to him. Her body is lying on his right hand with her right leg pinning his left arms as she is sprawled over him. Not wanting to make any sudden moves Tony notices the demoness has freckles around her nose.


    "Ta. Tan." Tony tries to call for Tanya through a parched throat, "Tanya." The demoness opens her eyes and smiles at Tony dazzlingly.


    "Tony, I am so glad you are finally awake. Here, let me help you". Realizing the demoness is Tanya, Tony relaxes. She rolls off the bed and stands up already dressed in her yoga pants. Tanya hands him his water bottle as Tony sits up.


    "Come on, time to unveil my mysteries..." Tanya says swinging her ass as she walks out of his room. Tony sighs as he gets up. Looking down he sees he is dressed in black yoga pants as well. Taking a red t-shirt from his cupboard he walks out of his bedroom into a field with training dummies fifty meters from him. Confused he looks back and sees a door standing unsupported.


    "Did you think we were still in the real world?"


    "Well, yeah. How did I get -"


    "You are still on the field Tony. This is happening in your mind. I could not wait for us to get time to train. You need knowledge before you kill us both, or the lions do." Tanya walks toward a waist-high red wall across from the targets. "Come here, let''s get started"


    Bemused as Tanya once again showcased an ability she didn''t tell him about Tony goes to stand next to Tanya. "What now?"A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "First, let''s start with the basics. This is very important for you to remember. Magic is a force that responds to your will, but it also has rules. You can''t blow four lions away just because you can think it up," smiling gently Tanya continues," You need to realise that becoming a mage is like building a whole new muscle. Your capacity grows with practise and is only limited by your imagination."


    "Ok, I get it, but what do I do?"


    "Let''s start then. First is simple illusions. These are only visible but cannot be interacted with etc. Good for practice but not always useful against an experienced foe." Pausing Tanya checks that Tony is following her words carefully.


    "Imagine a flame, just the vision of a flame, and will it to appear in that circle of stones, " Tanya says pointing to a circle of stones with some wood piled inside that appears on the other side of the wall.


    Focusing on the wood Tony focusses on the image of a candle. Unbidden he sees the candle at his mother''s funeral. This will work as good as any other image I guess. Putting the wick and flame on the wood Tony exerts his will. Suddenly there is a smoke coming from the wood.


    "No, you idiot! Just the vision of flame." Waving her hand at the wood which resets to a smokeless pile Tanya continues, "Just the image now". Finished with her scolding Tanya crosses her arms and turns to the stone circle. Trying again Tony sees the wick and flame again.


    Just the image... How is flame anything but real? It always has hea-. Oh, she is right, I am an idiot.


    Focussing on the vision again Tony focusses on the image of the flame but as a heatless construct. Exerting his will once again Tony sees his mana bar dropping with two percent. Glancing at the circle again Tony sees his flame flickering there but no smoke.


    "I did it! Yippee-ki-yay Motherfu-" Tanya starts giggling. Blushing Tony turns to her.


    "I did it, I am a mage -"


    Suddenly serious Tanya shakes her head, "You are not a mage. Don''t use that term till I tell you ok? If a real mage heard you he would kill you for insolence." Tanya holds his gaze till Tony nods slowly.


    "So what am I then?"


    "A worm."


    Smiling at the shocked look on Tony''s face Tanya clarifies, "A worm is the most basic animal, it can sense only a limited part of the greater world. Yet it can evolve into a beautiful butterfly." Tony starts smiling, taking a compliment not meant. "Or it can only become a bigger worm." Tony scowls at Tanya. "What now Tanya? You keep on feeding me titbits of information. Stop this crap." Tony clenches and unclenches his fists as his eyes bore into Tanya. Tanya drops her gaze as she says, "Fine, but don''t say I didn''t warn you." Straightening her shoulders Tanya starts resolutely. "The rules are simple but need to be practiced for years to become part of your psyche. For illusions, you have to imagine the object or element and remove a key element." Nodding Tony says, "Like the heat from the flame?"


    "Yes. For any physical object, it cannot be stronger than your capacity. There is no set limit but you only learn your limits by practicing and being aware of your mana pool."


    Luckily I have a gauge with percentages unless I try something too advanced. Tony nods eagerly as Tanya scowls.


    "You can create objects from mana permanently but to do so takes being able to fully envision all aspects of the object."


    "Does that mean I can imagine my favorite meal as well?"


    "No, food is excluded as well as all organic items. There are too many variables for a person to think off. Unless you are a god?" Tanya says turning up her nose and sniffing.


    "And finally you can manipulate your mana pool to grant you permanent improvements or embed items as tattoos on your skin. But be careful! Many male mages have lost much trying to make certain aspects of their anatomy bigger." Wincing Tony nods. "Ouch."


    "Now go practice, you won''t kill yourself here," Tanya says while going to lie down suddenly dressed in a bikini, "but probably not from a lack of trying."


    Tony follows the movements of Tanya''s perfect bubble butt till she bends to sit down.


    She does that on purpose, no woman walks like that! Well, I''ll show her I can get this magic thing done. Worm my ass. Wait, that doesn''t sound right...


    Tony spends the next hour focussing on illusions. Willing flame he experiments with the flame moving from dummy to dummy across the field. Keeping an eye on his mana he sees that after the first 50 minutes his gauge no longer moves as he creates illusions of flames. Tony starts creating ever more complex images. Satisfied that he can do illusions without dropping his mana below ninety percent he thinks of the first spell every mage he has ever played in role-playing-games starts with.


    I would need to create a magic missile. Maybe an arrow made of light? Nah, that won''t work. Don''t want to try a laser and pass out again. Let''s use something fast, hard and simple, something like this...


    Tony slowly builds a vision of a hollow point bullet. Walking around his illusion he adds a concussive force spiral. Exerting his will his bullet falls as an impressive fart sound reverberates against the wall. Blushing furiously as Tanya snorts in laughter behind Tony, he continues his experiment. Creating the illusion first Tony changes the bullet and combines it with the force spiral. When he has the two combined he is looking at a gray almost mirage-like image of a bullet with air translucent flames extending from the tip. Deepening his focus Tony imagines the magic bullet hitting one of the dummies. As he exerts his will Tony sees his mana falling with ten percent when he releases the spell.


    Crack! Tony jumps as the one dummy''s head explodes in a shower of splinters and straw.


    "What in the holy hell did you do?" Tanya shouts as she runs to stand next to Tony. Staring dumbfounded at the dummy she turns to Tony licking her lips nervously. "Can you that again? With less power?" Smiling Tony turns back to the targets. Creating one bullet Tony only puts four percent power into the spell. As the bullet flies it strikes a dummy in the torso with a solid thud.


    Let''s show her how a "worm" does it...


    Turning back to Tanya he says, "Yippee-ki-yay..." Lifting his hand Tony imagines ten magic bullets flying from his hand and striking the dummies. With a whoosh of displaced air, the bullets start crashing into the dummies.


    "Motherf-" Tanya jumps onto Tony kissing his lips hungrily. Surprised Tony falls flat on his back with Tanya still trying to eat him tongue first.


    She body is so soft...


    Coming up for air her lips turn up at the bemused expression on Tony''s face.


    "We are not doomed, you, my dear master, are badass!" Gushing Tanya hugs Tony. Feeling awkward Tony pats her back hesitantly. "Thanx." Disentangling Tanya from himself, Tony stands up and sees his mana bar has refilled back to eighty-five-percent already.


    "Can we return to the real world now? I think I have a solution for those lions now." Looking at the hole-ridden dummies Tanya nods her head quickly.


    Opening his eyes Tony finds himself on his hands and knees on the grass. Seeing the other trainees all frozen from fear he builds his bullets again. Rethinking how to explain his magic he changes the bullets to boxing gloves. Looking around quickly Tony sees no one paying attention to him. Exerting his will he sends the force punches through the ankle high grass to impact the Lions on their stomach and chests. With a yowl the lions all hunch up with a meaty thud sound, turning around they scamper back into the forest. Hiding his grin Tony picks up his dropped bag and follows the shaken trainees up the steps to the meeting hall.