The Black Swan

Chapter 31: It's Coming

Yoonie hit hard, but her attacks were as easily deflected by her experienced mentor. She materialised shields made from clear crystal, letting the darkness consume them into nothingness.

The darkness swallowed up Sakura's pieces of gems. Her shields were only effective for a single attack, making her always on her feet. It's... amazing. Yoonie thought to herself - having recently grasped a better sense of utilising her powers. Much of her time dedicated to studying the Dark Arts proved useful, as she could feel herself grow stronger.

For the first time, this morning, Yoonie had taken Minju's pills. She wanted to gain an upper hand against her mentor - even though it low key felt like she was cheating. There was something about Minju's writings that made her so curious about the medicine she gave.

"Take these when you're training - I don't want anything bad happening to you," the note read.

In her own time, she also learnt that her magic was not as destructive as it seemed. Black Magic was different from typical Imperium Magic: instead of using Mana, it seeks Mana. It does not deplete one's source of magical energy, but it yearns to find another foreign source to scavenge on. That explains why Minju's magic only works ono others' Mana. But what about mine? It doesn't really feed off Mana... Admittedly, she still has much to learn about how that power comes about - from within her.

If only Minju could explain how the pills work - but I bet she's busy with her duties. Yoonie mused. She instinctively dodges one of Sakura's crystalline projectiles; her attention now drawn back to the sparring session she was in the midst of. In return, she sends her own version of a magic missile, imbued with dark magic, at her mentor.

Sakura flinched, startled by the sudden offensive move. Yoonie paused. "Sensei are you alright-" Yoonie stepped forward towards her, worried. She met Sakura's eyes of pure concentration. Then, immobilised she was, and immediately encased in a cage of crystals - at the very moment when she let her guard down. Her arms and legs were trapped in awkward positions, forcing her to be rooted to the ground. There was a struggle to break free - yet she simply could not use her magic while restrained. She felt a tingling sensation in her chest, but something stopped her.

Sakura walked over. She booped her on her nose.

"No hard feelings, Yoonie - all's fair in love, and war," her mentor teased her, a cheery snicker on her lips. With a deliberate, pushing gesture, the crystals retracted, and fades away.

"Good practice - we should do this more often," Sakura suggested, clasping Yoonie on her shoulder. She wasn't significantly taller than her, but her bearing and authority might have given Yoonie this illusion.

"It's hard to say... High Lady Eunbi will be assigning me to more missions in time, seeing that I've been contributing less as of recent."

"Mhm, right. Don't worry about it - I'm sure you'll do fine," Sakura assured her, as they both exited the training chambers together. "Dinner?"

"Not today, unfortunately - I have some errands to run." Yoonie apologised, explaining her need to get some daily necessities in the nearby marketplace. I should get going, before the shops close. She bade her mentor a reluctant good-bye, before exiting the faction's enclosure. The five factions were located within the Capital, and the good thing was that the marketplace was just several minutes away on foot. With haste, Yoonie found her way to a pharmacy.

"How can I help you?" The petite elderly lady behind the counter asked. Shelves were stocked with various medicinal herbs and ointments, all within reach should any customer complain of ailment.

"Do you know what is this?" Yoonie inquired, passing the orange bottle into her hand. The shopkeeper eyed the contents briefly, trying to ascertain the name of the medicine.