The OP Lich is a Returnee, Chapter 45

Chapter 45 – Test of Elements, Test of Style

The next morning, I hauled all four of my pupils out to the courtyard, bright and early. OK, so bright might be a bit of a stretch, since the sun wasn’t quite up yet, but that wasn’t my problem. They came to me to learn, so I was going to beat the training into them, at least until they got past the initial starting point.

Looking at their tired faces, I smiled. “Good, now that you are all awake, we will start with the first tests. The two things we need to establish are the elements you favor, and the style that best suits you. Those two things will determine the course of your training, and your development from here on.

“Understand that, as you are now, you are children compared to those of the other world. And I mean that literally. My classmates and I were quite a bit older than the normal initiates learning magic. But, I will not let that stop you from learning what I have to teach.

“You have all learned to draw in mana, and have started to pool or cultivate it within yourself. You will continue to train, until it is second nature to you, where every breath you take, even in your sleep, adds to your power. But, before you can get that far, you must be tested for the style and element that best suits you.

“Style and element are two sides of the same coin. An Arcanist can still learn and cast spells as a Sorcerer does, but they will be less efficient at it, without a great deal of training. A Fire mage can still cast Earth spells, but they will be less efficient at it. And, especially when you are still at the level of power you’re at, efficiency is king.

“This is not just because of how efficient your mana costs are, though it does play into it. It also applies to how quickly you can learn new concepts, and come up with new spells. After all, if you have to stop practicing because you’ve worn through your stamina, then you are not improving. You’re not learning.

“So, we will start your training with the element and style that best suits you. Now that you have consciously touched your magic, we can test you. First, we will find your element.”

I reached into my pocket dimension, and pulled out several pieces of paper. “This paper has been made in such a way that it is especially reactive to magic. Specifically, it reacts to the elements of magic. You might call it a litmus test, but using magic instead of pH levels.”

I passed the papers out, making sure each of them had one. “These papers will react differently according to what your primary element is. On my command, each of you will try and channel your mana through the paper. Just a little. How it changes will make your element clear.”

I took a breath, and then commanded them to start. All four of my students began to concentrate, and I could feel the flow of magic. One by one, they each let a trickle of magic into their papers.

Unsurprisingly, Naya was the first to succeed. She had less to unlearn than Ya did, but still had more practice with magic than Kinjo and Makoto. Equally unsurprising was the way her paper curdled and disintegrated, rotting away as her magic touched it.

I nodded, with a smile. “Your element is Death, as I suspected.”

Ya managed the task a moment later. With a yelp of surprise, she jumped back, letting go of the paper as it burst into flame. She quickly regained her composure, however.

“Fire, obviously. Your spells will be naturally inclined towards destruction and raw power. This is not a bad thing, but you will need to work hard for the more subtle applications of the art.”

Kinjo was something of a surprise. His paper turned black, and radiated darkness like an inverse lightbulb. At the same time, several clean cuts slashed through the paper, cutting it into eight pieces.

“Oh, ho! Air and Darkness both. Rare that someone should have two elements, but not unheard of, and these elements support each other, rather than opposing, as some might. My friend, subtlety will be second nature to you, when you have trained properly. However, it will take more work for you to use skills with true destructive potential.”

The priest just nodded, and said nothing. Which was good, because the biggest surprise was about to come. Makoto was last, as expected, but when he managed to push his mana into the paper, the result was staggering.

Brilliant white light filled the courtyard, and I could feel a tingling as it touched me. It was a feeling I had not felt in quite some time. “Interesting,” I said, as the paper disintegrated into nothing. “Very interesting. That’s a reaction I haven’t seen in forty years. You have faith, don’t you, boy?”

Makoto nodded, and said, “Yes, sensei. While I study the old ways of the sword, I am also a devout follower of Buddhism. For a while, I considered training to be a priest.”

“Well, it shows. Your mana is not any of the normal elements. Instead, you have Holy power in your mana. The sword you will learn to wield will cut down many creatures, and purify their remains.”

Kinjo, frowning, raised his hand. I chuckled, and said, “I am not casting any dispersions on you, my friend, or saying your faith is weak. Just as I can use Life spells, despite being an undead, anyone who has faith can, with practice and ritual, use their faith to perform magic by channeling their chosen deity’s power. But there are some who are born with the talent for Holy or Unholy mana.”

Kinjo nodded, but Ya raised her own hand in turn. When I bade her speak, she asked, “Does Holy or Unholy translate to Good and Evil?”

“No. That is one of the fundamental misconceptions of divine magic. Holy is the magic of purification, while Unholy is the magic of corruption. Both can come from the same source, be it gods or demons. It is possible to wield Holy on a campaign of terror, purging all those who stand in your way, or for Unholy to stand as a shield against tyranny, corrupting and breaking the systems that had long held people in chains. Just like with the mage’s elements, it is what you do with the magic that matters.”

I reached into my pocket dimension again, and, this time, I pulled out a cart with several items. They were beginner foci for all the elements, with different styles in mind. This was how I would test to see their style.

I started with Naya, since she was the first to find her element. From the cart, I pulled a tray that had five objects upon it. A wand, a black crystal, a grimoire, a ring, and a dagger. All of them were tinged with Death, allowing someone to more easily cast Death magic through them.

“Close your eyes,” I commanded, and the girl obeyed. Quickly, I spun her about a couple times, just enough so that she would lose track of where the items were placed. It was important not to bias the test, after all. “Now, keep your eyes closed, and reach out with your magic. You have five pieces in front of you, infused with your element. Reach out and take the one that calls most to you.”

Naya nodded, and stepped forward. She held her right hand out, over the tray, and slowly moved it side to side. She paused, and made her choice.

“Open your eyes, Aeko Naya.” I smiled at her face as she found herself looking at the black wooden wand. “From this day forth, you are a Sorceress of Death, a Reaper. There is great power down this path, but also the potential for great danger. We shall speak of it later.”

I returned the Death tray to the cart, and pulled out the tray for Fire. It had the same five items on it, only the crystal for this tray was red. As I stepped in front of Ya, she closed her eyes without needing to be told. After I spun her around, I offered the tray to her.

I nodded as she picked up the grimoire. “Open your eyes, Dai Ya. From this day forth, you are an Arcanist of the Flame, a Pyromancer. The study of fire in all its forms shall be the center of your training, and few will be able to match your potential for destruction.”

I smiled as I returned the Fire tray to the cart, and pulled out the Darkness and Air trays. Looking at Kinjo, I said, “My friend, this is a special moment. Few people awaken to two elements at once. When this happens, there is a chance that the two elements wish to express themselves in different ways. You might have a Flame Sorcerer who also has a Wellwatcher’s talents. This can make training difficult, as you need to learn two styles at once, but, in the end, you will be stronger for it. Or, you might have both the same style, and learn to meld your elements as few others have before.”

I spun him about, as I did the others, and said, “Now, stretch out with your magic. You should feel two pulls, one from each tray. Let your magic guide you, and pick that which feels right.”

He reached out, with both hands, and moved them across the trays. He spent longer on the choice than the others had, but that was to be expected, since he had two sources calling to him, rather than just the one. Eventually, his hands stopped, and he made his choice.

“Open your eyes, Kinjo Noriaki. You bear the Ring of Shadow, and the Blade of Air. From this point on, you shall be both Shadowsoul and Wind Warrior. You have taken a path chosen by few, but that power will give you strength beyond measure, in time.”

I put away the trays, and then slid the cart into my pocket dimension, before pulling out a small box. Turning to Makoto, I said, “Holy and Unholy are unlike the magic of mages and cultivators. While the techniques I can teach you will serve to bolster your abilities, advancement along your path will require you to look within yourself, and find the connection you have with that higher power.”

I opened the box, revealing three objects: a dagger, an amulet, and a bracelet. “The paths of the Holy are different from that of the mage. Pick your path, and I will give you what guidance I can.”

I spun the young swordsman around, and then allowed him to choose. The three choices would determine how he progressed. But, given what he had told me, I was far from surprised when Makoto’s hand gripped the dagger, and held it aloft.

“Open your eyes, Miyasato Makoto. From this day forth, you are a Bearer of the Holy Sword. Your blade will shine with righteousness, and will cut down the unworthy. But take care, lest you stray from the path of wisdom, and into the realm of fanaticism. For the Holy warrior, strength must be tempered by understanding, or only suffering will result.”

I closed the box, and returned it to my pocket dimension. I would need to replace the foci eventually, but that was no matter. I would get my people at Athelian Arms to make them, as tests of their newfound enchanting abilities.

Looking at my four students, I smiled. “This was but the first step upon your journey into the realm of magic. But, now that you have your elements and your styles, I will bring forth experts who can better advise you on the next step. Specialists who have the learning of an entire world to offer to those with your elements.”

My eyes rested on Naya. “Except for you. You, my young Reaper, I shall teach personally, and, in so doing, perhaps keep you from venturing too far down Death’s path before you are ready.”