When I think about the fact that I can use magic, I am continually impressed at how well I am able to wield it now. Admittedly, on Earth there was no magic at all, so what I consider to be great ability might actually be utterly mediocre in comparison to the studied mages of this world... I didn't think to ask, but I am not sure what this world is called by its residents. In any case, I have reached a peak in my current understanding of magic. Ipha's colorless and healing magic is out of reach for me, because I do not know how those processes work in this world. However, my ability in elemental magic comes naturally to me. So long as I know the Manaspeak for the element, the positioning, and the resulting action, I can cast almost any type of major-grade spell I like.
As I've spent time on Staria's assignment, being the Telepathy spell, I've gained some insight regarding Status Magic. As information magic, Status draws and transmits information strikingly well. Testing Appraisal on Ren and other villagers, I was able to read their names, age, and affinities. Ren wasn't able to read my name when I reincarnated, before I chose my new name, however. Perhaps after my death, and after Sebastian's death by lightning, both of our names were destroyed in some manner. Status magic is frighteningly accurate... and I wonder just how much Staria, a trained mage in the domain of Status, actually sees when she looks at me. She would have said something if she noticed something unusual about me, but she didn't mention it. And so, I am approaching her to ask about myself, as well as seek some counsel on Telepathy. Tonight, the pathway to the underground alcove is lonely. The spring mist is chilling, creeping along the forest floor. Staria awaits within, crouched over the underground stream, washing her face with a cloth.
"A good night, Staria." I bring my hand to my chest.
"Wren." She smiles, her eyes bright even in the dim lighting of the cave. "You caught me at a rather embarassing time... Luckily I did not start washing up yet, however."
"...I apologize for that. Should I come back at a later time?"
"Oh, no. The night is young, I can clean myself another time. You do not come down often, so I'd like to hear what you want to say." Her eyes settle on me. I look away, struggling to hold eye contact. Regardless of her prowess in Status, her eyes are unsettling to me. She has an intense stare, and the color is so vibrant... I instinctively feel fearful of her, somehow.
"Sorry... I would like to come down more often. I feel lost exploring Status Magic often, but Ipha taught me to explore it on myself without seeking too much counsel. I did not want to bother you or inhibit your duties." She closes her eyes, wrapping her face once more. I feel a sting of guilt as she covers up. Was she doing it for me?
"I do not have many duties, though I am a shaman, Wren. In truth, my position is mostly inherited. Only Ipha comes down here, with food and other gifts."
"Really...? I would think that, as a Diviner, you might have many duties." She shakes her head.
"My last service to the village was in coordinating the defense of Altous. A Diviner doesn't have a lot of practical uses once information is divulged. Sometimes... I feel as if I am a burden on the village, requiring this isolated place to be at peace with my senses. Perhaps it is just my human half that thinks of it that way... But enough about me. Wren, you had a question about Status magic?"
"...I can hardly ask now. I'd like to hear more about your thoughts, Staria."
"Do not worry about me, Wren. I know you have your own reservations. I am not going anywhere, so we can save my story for later. Your lesson should come first."
"Very well... I'd like to know how you process information when you cast Status Magic. When I am casting Appraisal, I feel as if I'm focusing my eyes on a distant object, making out whatever appears legible. I can read names, ages, and affinities, but not much else."
Staria nods thoughtfully. Tilting her head up. "That is the nature of Status Magic. It parses innate information. Information that changes, such as states and emotions, require a greater understanding of what Appraisal is trying to tell you."
"You can read emotions?"
"I can. Often, I do it without thinking. Wearing this blindfold protects me from laying eyes on others rashly. Of course, I can still use Appraisal without my sight... but it takes more effort and intent to do so."
"You can cast Appraisal without seeing anything?"
"Yes. In fact, you can too." She smiles. "That should be the next step for you. Don't rely on your senses too much. Think about the space around you... how your body is placed within it, and how others exist within it. You might come to read information around you without needing to see it."
"That is a sense too, I think."
"What is?"
"The sense of space and your body. It's called proprioception." Her eyebrows crease.
"I haven't heard of that word before... where did you learn it from?"
"Oh. It must be a word in human languages. How did it sound to you?"
"Erinzer. Becoming apart and together, in Elvish. But it is similar to the word Iner, becoming apart."
"...Did I invent a new word in the Elvish language? I didn't do it consciously."
"You should look into that trait of yours. Translation magic is very rare. The spells are often Executive-grade or higher."
"I couldn't have casted it myself, I don't think. Unless..." Unless it was casted on Sebastian before he died.
Staria looks worried, her hands grabbing on the opposite arm's sleeves. "It could be a hex placed on you from before you were targeted by the Jaksha. Lesser demons are talented in unusual spells of that sort. Take care to remember that not all hexes are negative."
"...Yeah, I will ask Ipha about it." I shake my head, trying not to think about the effects of the Translation magic.
"This... proprioception. If you understand what it is, maybe it will help you with grasping the spells you want to learn and improve on." She takes a deep, shaky breath. "Wren, I'm afraid I am quite... exhausted from speaking. I hope you will make use of our talk."
"Of course, I am sorry to take up so much of your time. I will come back to you when i learn Telepathy." I look up at her from my lowered bow. My eyes focus on her. Small lights flicker in my vision. Information in my brain... appears.
Istarica Minithal-Altous
Half-elf
110
Star Crest: Status
Hexed: Wasting