The OP Lich is a Returnee, Chapter 192

Chapter 192 – Goals

With the ceremony done, I shifted into my human guise, and an enchanted kimono, so that things wouldn’t be so formal. While some formalities would necessarily be a part of the apprenticeship process and my station, that did not mean I needed to get into everything right now. Instead, I led my new disciples to the same spellchamber that I had brought my previous disciples to after they’d sworn themselves to my service.

I stepped to the center of the room, and turned to look at the six ducklings following behind me. “Lay any CADs you have by the door. If you have a focus, you may keep it with you. This spellchamber has been warded to prevent any ‘accidents’ from affecting the outside world. It is here where you will practice crafting your spells, until you learn enough control that you will not be a threat to your fellow students.”

Once all their CADs had been set by the door, I knelt in seiza, and motioned for them to do the same. From a glance, it was easy to see that the only one who had done something like this before was Won Sang-Ki, the Korean Shadowbringer I’d selected as part of this round of apprentices. María Rodríguez, the vampire Reaper from Mexico, and Tabia Nassar, the Necromancer from Egypt, both made passable attempts at it. Unfortunately, Lucia Menton, the Canadian Spiritualist and daughter of the man I’d met in New York, did not have the flexibility for it. Nawai Kai, the Hawai’ian Flame Sorcerer, and Almir Lobo, the Portuguese Aeromancer, on the other hand, simply had too much muscle mass in their legs for seiza to be comfortable for them.

It was a nice reminder that, this time, I was dealing with a very multicultural group of disciples, compared to my last set. Of course, saying that Japan and China had the same culture was a great way to start a fight, but they were certainly closer together than, say, Mexico and Egypt. Thankfully, I was used to dealing with different cultures, especially after my time in the other world.

“You have all used the training materials provided by Phantomline. As you might have guessed, I was the one who wrote those materials, to give anyone who used them a basis for growing their mana pools. However, before we begin the training in earnest, I must first see how far along you are. It would do each of you a disservice to begin the deeper training before your foundation is set, after all.

“Your mana pool is an essential part of Magick. At the very basest level, it allows you to augment the mana you can channel with the mana you have pooled. This means you can cast stronger spells, for longer, before you need to rest. Even with low channeling ability, consistent work can make it so you are able to cast spells powerful enough to bring down armies, even if it is only once in a fight.”

I paused looking at each of them in turn. “Of course, the first step to truly growing in strength is to make it so that you draw in mana as naturally as you breathe, no matter what distractions you face. Conversation, discomfort, pain? You must learn to instinctively cultivate through all of them. I want you to begin drawing mana into your pool, allowing it to settle and grow, while still listening to me, and ignoring the discomfort in your bodies.”

The six students did as they were told. Surprisingly, Lucia was the most proficient at this stage. The poor girl must have thrown everything into studying, since she could not easily go where the mana would better suit her cultivation. However, it would not do to allow her to get mana drunk, as she had when she first entered the castle. I’d need to keep an eye on her.

“Now, I will tell you that, while you are here, my servants will treat you as normal. A swollen head is ill-suited to the pursuit of Magick, after all. However, as the disciples of a Queen, by custom you are peers to minor nobility within Risen Athelia, and those sworn to my service will address you as ‘Lord’ or ‘Lady’. However, do not mistake this for you having any authority over my subjects, save in times when you act as my messenger or an extension of my will. You are owed respect, as my disciples, but not obedience. Abusing your station is a sure way to lose it, so be warned.”

I could see a ripple pass through their mana as that statement disrupted their concentration momentarily, but all of them recovered quickly enough. “Each of you, by the time you leave my service, will progress to the rank of Master in your style. However, magical strength alone is not the extent of what will be expected of you. You will also train your bodies, because a Master Mage who cannot defend themselves from someone close enough to slip a blade between their ribs is worth less than an Apprentice who can at least hold off an attacker until their allies intervene. And a supposed Archmage who struggles to climb the steps of their own tower makes mockery of the title.

“I do not expect you to fight as a Warrior. However, I refuse to allow any disciple of mine be wholly dependent on minions, whether created, contracted, or conjured, and casting spells for their defense. You all need to at least be able to hold off an attacker until your minions and allies can come to aid you. More than one mighty archmage has fallen because they poured all their attention into their spellwork, and neglected to train their body, or learn to defend themselves with more mundane means.

“With magic now fully unleashed into the world, monsters have begun to form. Some of them hunt with magic, and some hunt magic. A mage who knows only their spellwork will be helpless if they encounter a monster who had the ability to suppress magic in an area. If you at least know how to defend yourself, then you have a better chance of surviving such an encounter.

“To this end, you will not just train to have a strong mind and body, but to learn to fight with both magic and weapons. I do not expect any of you to become master swordsmen, or achieve sniper-level marksmanship, but before your training is done, I will have you be at least capable with no less than three types of armor and five weapons, at least one of which shall be ranged, plus the basics of unarmed combat. You will be able to move and fight in armor or out of it, with spells or weapons.

“There is a practical reason for this, of course. Should you come across a group of enemies, and you see five of them in modern body armor and carrying guns, while the sixth is wearing a suit and tie, and visibly unarmed, who do you think is the most important person there? Who becomes the most obvious target? Naturally, it is the one who does not look like they are prepared to defend themselves.

“Now, picture the same scenario, but all six are wearing armor, and they have a mix of weapons. A pair of assault rifles, a shotgun, two swordsmen, and a spearman. Who is the most important in that group? Who is the target you have to take out first? You cannot know for certain unless you have more information, which means that the mage in the group has a chance to do more than see if they can survive being shot in the head.”

I paused again, watching the six as they worked. “When considering the type of weapons you want to wield, there are several considerations. First, you should select something appropriate for your build. For those of you with smaller builds, even if you can use Body Strengthening, picking an oversized slab of metal in the shape of a sword like you’re an anime protagonist is foolhardy. Even if you strengthen your body so that you can lift the blade, the physics mean that your stance will be broken, and you will just be flailing, instead of fighting.

“Likewise, for someone with a larger build, there is no reason to pick up a dagger, save for having a backup weapon, or something that is easily concealed. Why rob yourself of your natural advantages if you don’t have to? For those types, a two-handed hammer or axe may be the superior choice.

“Then again, you need also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the different weapons you’ll train in, just as you will learn the strengths and weaknesses of different spells, and the styles of magic you pursue. A halberd has great reach and can be used to devastating effect on the battlefield, but in close quarters, such as inside a building or when venturing through caves, its size and reach are a hindrance rather than a benefit, while a simple club paired with a shield would be far more effective.

“The same is true of ranged weapons. A shotgun with buckshot can be a reliable weapon at thirty-five meters, and can do bloody work in close quarters. However, it is not well-suited to a longer-ranged engagement, or when there are friendly forces in the mix. A war bow can silently strike from two hundred meters away without enchantments, but in close quarters a pistol is faster and deadlier.

“Every weapon has its place upon the battlefield. Contrary to some opinions, functional weapons were not created for appearance’s sake, they are tools with forms to fit the conditions they were intended to be used in. Using them in conditions they aren’t suited to is the same as using a machete to conduct surgery or a scalpel to clear brush.

“The same is true of spellwork. You will each have spells that you are better at, that come more naturally to you, and spells you struggle with, even within your element. However, I will also ensure that you all know at least the basic spells of the other elements, as well. None of you will be high-level healers without Life or Holy as your elements. However, you can still learn the basic first aid spells, to keep yourself or someone else alive until they can get actual treatment. And I won’t have any student of mine up against a wall because they are facing something only vulnerable to Earth magic, and they never bothered to learn a basic Stone Bullet spell.”

I paused to let that sink in, and then said, “Now, I would have each of you tell me, and your fellow disciples, what you hope to gain from this training, what your goals for the future are. Speak honestly and from the heart, for I will have no lies within this group. Not to embarrass you, or make you feel as though you are unworthy, because none of you who made it here are unworthy. Rather, because this is more than just me and you. Your fellow disciples are also on the path with you. Each of them has a different point of view, that may shed new light on your goals, or reveal pitfalls in front of you before it is too late. More importantly, they are still human, and still have a human frame of reference. I have a great deal of knowledge and power, but I will be the first to say that I no longer see the world like a mortal person does, which is why I have left most of the mortal workings of my kingdom to mortals, because I understand that I no longer have the proper grounding to make the best decisions on mortal affairs.”

María was the first to speak. “I want power, so that I can never again be made powerless.” As she spoke, she pulled off the ski mask to reveal a face that looked maybe sixteen, if one was generous. “I spent twenty years a plaything of my Sire before I managed to trick him into drinking blood laced with holy water, which disabled him long enough for me to stake him and leave the body facing the rising sun. I want to ensure that never happens to me again.”

I nodded approvingly. “I know the desire for power that being powerless gives you better than most. I won’t say that it is a bad thing, given my own history, but I will tell you to decide upon limits, to keep yourself from becoming a worse monster than the one you killed.”

Almir spoke next. “I want to become the Hero of Air that my Tia Alexandrina failed to be.” His voice was firm, but I could see the shadow of what had happened to the Azores weighing on his shoulders.

“Regardless of title, your aunt died a heroine’s death. She dared to do what many would never have even attempted, and though she failed, all those who risked themselves to unleash the seals earned my respect. I will say this now, without the force of the seal to trigger the change, I do not know if it can be done. However, I shall consult with those whose knowledge I trust, and, if a way is found with a reasonable chance of success, I will ensure you have your chance.”

Sang-Ki took a breath, and said, “I want to know more about magic than any human on Earth, and learn things that even you do not know.”

“Such cheek,” I smiled. “Knowing more about magic in general than I do is likely impossible for you, since I have a head start by over forty years. However, if you narrow your focus to the element of Shadow? Then perhaps you may, in time, teach me some new things.”

Nawai straightened his shoulders. “Beyond my own spells, I would like to learn to summon and command elementals of flame and lava, binding them to my service as I protect my home from those who would threaten it.”

“As your Queen, as well as your Mistress, I approve of such ambition, Nawai Kai. However, for a Sorcerer to control summons of a strength greater than their own, you must have a will of iron, forged into a weapon that brooks no dissent. I will forge you, or break you.”

Tabia looked at me, and said, “Your actions at the Seal of Death and the raising of the Temple of Murena have changed my people, and how they view magic. When I discovered my abilities, it was Huntmaster Duskblade who taught me the basics. I would like to become a bridge to help bring my people into the future without giving up who we are.”

“And a bridge you will be. Study hard, young Necromancer, and you will learn much. Not just in the magic of Death, but in how to combat threats both living and dead. You will be a warrior-scholar, holding to the old faith while treading new ground, writing the histories others will read.”

Finally, I looked at Lucia. Her eyes met mine, and I could see the fire in them. “I want to be more than just a Master Spiritualist. I want to be an Archmage of Death, and I want to be a Warlock as well. I want to see Dragons and speak with gods and have even half the adventures you did in the other world, but without the ‘summoned against your will and enslaved’ part.”

Well, now, wasn’t that something? “I will teach you all I can to bring you to Mastery of the three circles of Death, but it takes more than desire to walk each circle. To use a path you are not born to requires you to think and act like the path, when your experience and magic drags you in other directions. That is not as simple as it sounds. And as for being a Warlock, when the time comes I will advise you, any of you, on different partners you might seek out, and how to draw their attention, but actually making a deal will be something that only you can do, as it will be your soul, literally, on the line. But I will help you prepare, at least.”

I took a breath, and said, “Now, since you all managed to keep cultivating your mana pools during that conversation, even if you did not have the best efficiency, we will take a break for you to change into proper clothes for an apprentice of mine, and after lunch we will begin the teaching in earnest.”