The Lost Orb [PFS #1, The Bearer]

02 "Sudden Inclusion"

SASKIA'S POV
Era 982, Junius

"SPELL CIRCLES serve as a conduit that channels the mage's mana. Every mage manifests a varied color, depending on the influence of their ancestral bloodline. These circles are not to please our visuals. These are the essential mediums through which spells and artistry are cast, and the primary key to release our mage art." Ms. Florian discusses in brisk.

We remained attached to our seats.

"There are two main ways to release the energy from it. Through incantation, by verbally casting a spell or artistry. Or through gestures, where hand movements command the energy to be released."

But a novice mage won't do it as easily as she explained. It requires persistent discipline to master as such. It didn't take me months to cast that, though it was just through gestures, but I was still lucky to pick it up fast. Ang problema ko nalang ngayon ay ano ba'ng artistry ko?

The first session wasn't long. It didn't take us two hours like some of the previous sessions did. The break was long too, kaya hinayaan ko na lang ang paa ko kung saan ako ipapadpad nito for the meantime.

Then I found myself stopping at a nearby garden of flowers na nakaagaw agad ng atensyon ko. It was a secluded area, masked by the towering trees. The flowers were colorful to my eyes, that's why.

Maluwag ang simoy ng hangin dito, mararamdaman mo talaga sa paligid mo kung madalang lang ba itong puntahan ng mga tao. Nasa gilid lamang ito ng daanan ng mga scholars. Gawa sa bakal ang mga puting upuan kung saan ako nagpahinga muna.

I ran my hands above the blanketing flowers on the bushes, fondling the petals in it with my fingertips. Some are soft or silky, and some are ruffled. I didn't realize that my lips were already curling up at their beauty.

It was then that a rushed movement of the fluttering wings of a creature landed atop a thin branch of a tree, just above my head.

The night raven again.

Sinusundan ba ako nito? Tumagilid ang ulo nito na sinabayan ko rin. Huh, parang may sariling pag-iisip iyon. Strange.

"Have you heard about the tale of the sacred book sa library?"

"Huh? What about it?"

"So let me tell you a brand-new tale!"

The voices of the nearby scholars caught my attention. Lumingon ako sa kaliwa, saka nakita si Saphire na nakikipag-usap sa taga ibang rank. She playfully tiptoed in front of them to catch the attention of a group of scholars standing beside a lamppost.

My puzzled gaze took over. Masyadong pamilyar 'yong topic. Minutes had passed, saka ko lang napagtanto na iyon 'yong pinag-usapan namin ni Allisa kahapon.

She continued exchanging words with them habang punong-puno ng enerhiya. Hindi ko alam saan niya nabubunot 'yang lakas na 'yan.

These tales. I can't believe that other scholars enjoys it as well. Paniguradong nakwento rin sa kaniya ni Allisa iyon.