Chapter 46 I Came for Spell Books, Not This Much Trouble
We stepped through the ancient gates of the College of Winterhold, the cold stone beneath our boots humming faintly with magicka. No sooner had we crossed into the courtyard than Phinis slowed his pace, then abruptly peeled away from us.
"Meet me in the Hall of Attainment," he said, glancing back over his shoulder. After a brief pause, his lips curled upward in a self-satisfied smile. "If I'm not there… then the Arch-Mage's Quarters."
He straightened his robes as if presenting a badge of honor.
"I have permission to enter the Arch-Mage's Quarters and assist with his research," he added smugly, savoring every word before turning on his heel and striding off, clearly pleased with himself.
The echo of his footsteps had barely faded when the air beside me grew noticeably colder.
"So…" Astrid said.
I felt it immediately the shift in her tone, calm on the surface yet sharp enough to draw blood.
"So," she continued, slowing her steps just enough to make me notice, "who is Faralda?"
A chill crawled up my spine. I turned toward her and met her gaze steel-gray eyes locked onto me, unblinking, merciless.
"A-Ah A-Astrid, come on," I stammered, raising my hands slightly in surrender. "You heard her too, right? She was just… trying to be nice because she wanted something from me. That's all. Really."
My voice rushed forward, tripping over itself as I tried to explain like a guilty husband desperately attempting to talk his way out of a doomed misunderstanding.
Astrid stopped walking.
Slowly, deliberately, she turned to face me.
Her eyes narrowed, sharp as drawn blades.
"And if she offered you her body," she asked softly, dangerously, "would you still be willing to give in?"
The words were quiet but they cut deep.
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.
"N-No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "Of course not. Never." I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "In my heart… there's only you, Astrid. Always."
For a long moment, she simply stared at me, searching my face as if weighing the truth of my soul.
Then she leaned in just enough for me to feel her presence.
"Good," she said at last, her voice cold and final. "Keep it that way."
Her lips curved faintly not a smile, but a warning.
"Or your manhood will disappear."
A violent shiver ran through me from head to toe.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," I answered weakly, instinctively straightening my posture.
Satisfied, Astrid turned away and resumed walking, her pace noticeably faster now, boots striking the stone with authority.
"Hmph."
I exhaled slowly, watching her go equal parts terrified… and hopelessly in love.
Before meeting the other mages, we diverted toward the highest rooftop of the College the wind-scoured platform where forbidden rituals were conducted and Unbound Dremora were dragged screaming into the mortal plane. The sky felt heavier up there, clouds hanging low as if they too were wary of what was about to occur.
Alex stepped to the center of the ritual circle, boots scraping softly against ancient runes etched into the stone. He glanced over his shoulder at Astrid, a faint, mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Hey, Astrid," he said casually, as if suggesting a walk instead of a Daedric summoning. "You want to see a Dremora, right? I'll call one up here… and we'll squeeze him for information."
Astrid paused mid-step. Her brows lifted, curiosity instantly overpowering caution.
"What?" she asked, turning fully toward him. "A Dremora? You mean a real one?"
Alex nodded, already rolling up his sleeves as magicka gathered around his hands.
"Of course it's real." He smirked, then added more seriously, "Oh and he'll be wearing full Daedric armor. Helmet included. So keep your Thu'um ready. Unrelenting Force just in case."
Astrid's hand tightened around the hilt of her weapon. Her stance shifted subtly balanced, prepared.
"Okay," she replied, calm and focused.
Alex inhaled slowly, then slammed his palm onto the sigil at the center of the circle.
The air screamed.
Crimson light tore itself open, runes igniting one by one as heat and sulfur flooded the rooftop. From the裂 opening in reality, a towering figure emerged horned, broad-shouldered, encased head to toe in jagged Daedric armor that drank in the light. The helm concealed its face completely, turning it into a walking nightmare of black steel and hatred.
The Dremora landed with a thunderous clang, instantly drawing its blade. Its posture was perfect disciplined, lethal.
"MORTAL," it roared, its voice echoing unnaturally across the stone. "THIS TIME, I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TOY WITH ME AGAIN. DIE !"
It lunged.
The blade flashed toward Alex with killing intent, cutting the air apart
but Astrid moved first.
She stepped forward, feet planted wide, chest expanding as she drew in a breath that felt deeper than air itself.
"FUS RO DAH!"
The Thu'um erupted from her like a physical force. The shockwave smashed into the Dremora mid-strike, lifting the armored mass clean off its feet. Metal shrieked as the creature was hurled backward, tumbling end over end before vanishing over the edge of the rooftop.
A long, distant crash echoed from far below one that would have ended any mortal life instantly.
Silence returned, broken only by the howling wind.
Alex bent forward, hands braced against his knees, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Phew…" he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was close. I almost got killed. I really thought he'd obey this time."
He straightened slowly, swallowing hard.
"My guess was right."
Turning his head, he looked at Astrid eyes bright with equal parts relief and excitement.
"Well," he said, a crooked grin forming, "looks like we're going to have to make this dog obey again, huh?" He chuckled softly. "Hehe."
In that moment, it felt something far worse than pain.
Shame.
Born of Oblivion, forged only to be summoned, commanded, and discarded by fragile mortals its existence reduced to a tool, a thing to be thrown away. Never had it felt such disgrace. Never had its pride been shattered so completely.
And that realization hurt more than any blow.
After squeezing everything they could out of the Dremora like all the resource from oblivion, Alex sold to to buy spell tomes from the College mages: Colette Marence (Restoration), Tolfdir (Alteration), and Phinis Gestor (Conjuration).
In a short time, Alex acquired several spell books:
· Stoneflesh
· Telekinesis
· Fast Healing
· Close Wounds
· Heal Other
Fast Healing:
Heals the caster 50 points. Mana Cost: 73
Close Wounds:
Heals the caster 100 points. Mana Cost: 126
Heal Other:
Heals the target 75 points. Does not affect undead, atronachs, or machines. Mana Cost: 80
Telekinesis:
Can pull an object to you from a distance. Add it to your inventory or throw it. Mana Cost: 170 per second
Stoneflesh:
Improves the caster's armor rating by 60 points for 60 seconds. Mana Cost: 194
The most troublesome task by far was dealing with Faralda.
Ever since the incident at the gate, the air between her and Astrid had been tense sharp, brittle, ready to shatter at the slightest spark. Alex could feel it every time their gazes drifted in the same direction. So, before things escalated into something disastrous, he turned to Astrid and lowered his voice.
"Astrid," he said gently, reaching out but stopping just short of touching her arm, "I need to talk to Faralda for a moment. Just for a moment. Could you wait here?"
Astrid's jaw tightened. Her fingers curled into a fist at her side.
"You mean," she said slowly, then stomped one foot against the stone, "so she can flirt with you again?"
Alex winced. He dragged a hand down his face, exhaling through his nose as if steadying himself.
"Come on, Astrid. Let it go," he pleaded softly. "Don't take it to heart, okay? This is for us. If I get stronger, I can protect you better too. That's what matters… right?"
She stared at him in silence, eyes stormy, lips pressed thin. For a long second, it seemed she might refuse outright.
Then she clicked her tongue in irritation and looked away.
"Ugh… fine," she muttered. "But don't take too long."
Relief flooded Alex's chest.
"Thank you," he said quickly. "Just wait here."
He turned and walked toward Faralda, forcing his shoulders to relax, pasting an awkward, harmless smile onto his face.
"Hey," he greeted, scratching the back of his neck. "I want to buy some Destruction spell books. After that, we'll be leaving right away. Okay?"
Faralda turned toward him slowly, her eyes gleaming with unmistakable interest. A playful smile curved her lips as she tilted her head.
"Aww," she said softly, "why leave so soon? There's no need to rush. Winterhold can be… quite lonely, you know."
This woman is dangerous, Alex thought, his instincts screaming. Ambitious, sharp, and fully aware of it.
He raised a hand, cutting her off before she could lean any closer.
"O-Okay, stop," he said firmly. "I'll help you but later. After we finish the Dragonborn's business. Deal?"
Faralda studied him for a moment, as if measuring the worth of his words. Then her smile widened, bright and eager.
"Deal," she said without hesitation.
"So what spell books are you looking for?"
The transaction was quick after that. Alex purchased several Destruction tomes Chain Lightning, Fireball, and Flame Cloak carefully counting out his gold, keeping a portion and a few salvaged items from the Dremora encounter for future needs.
As he finished, Faralda didn't look at the books.
She looked at him.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, eyes tracing his posture, "those spells take a very long time to master. They're not for the impatient."
Alex met her gaze and smiled faintly calm, confident, just a touch arrogant.
"I know."
Her lips curled upward.
"As expected of Winterhold's genius student," she murmured.
Then, without warning, she stepped closer and pressed a hand lightly against his chest, fingers resting just above his heart.
"Do you really have to be this serious just to win my heart?" she whispered. "You know… women like strong men."
Alex stiffened.
In one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and gently but firmly pulled it away. Without giving her time to react, he took a step back and turned on his heel.
"Whoops," he said over his shoulder, already retreating, "almost, hehe i pretend not to hear that. Anyway see you next time!"
He practically fled the scene, heart pounding, fully aware that somewhere behind him, Astrid was watching and that he had escaped disaster by the narrowest of margins.
Chain Lightning:
A lightning bolt inflicting 40 points of damage to Health and half as much to Magicka, then leaps to a new target. With Augmented Shock 2/2, it jumps to one additional target and deals 60 damage. Caution: Friendly fire is possible. Mana Cost: 156
Fireball:
Explodes on impact for 40 points of damage in a 15-foot radius. With Augmented Flames 2/2, radius increases by 5 feet and damage rises to 60. Caution: Friendly fire is possible. Mana Cost: 133
Flame Cloak:
For 60 seconds, enemies in melee range take 8 damage per second. Does not harm followers, but does harm neutral NPCs like town guards. Mana Cost: 289
Alex returned to Astrid and proudly showed her the books.
"Look, I got three spell books."
Astrid's face, however, was filled with suspicion and jealousy.
"Hm. Strange. Why would that woman agree so easily to sell to you?"
Alex dodged the question and changed the subject.
"Forget it. We need to find a place where I can absorb these spell books in secret. It'll be bad if someone sees me gaining such strange power."
He took Astrid's hand and led her away to somewhere secluded, where no one else could see them.
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