Lilia's Tale: Freyja's Endeavor

Chapter 9: Control

I remembered trying to think of a solution to this, though could not remember what I had found. All I knew was that making it a reflex was the solution I had decided on.

The problem, however, was the lack of controlled environment. Reflex training requires conditioning, which is done in a controlled and expected environment. Notably, in this case, it would be to make the spell natural to cast for me. That was impossible to do in...

...Another spell was cast. I quickly returned control through the intense and now pounding headache. This occurrence helped me realise just how grim the prospect of automating the return was : the headache was instantaneous and powerful, meaning I would feel it even if I instantly gave it back.

I had to find another solution, but the headache wasn't letting up this time. I couldn't think straight for very long making any thinking impossible. I quickly gave up, thinking trying any more would only hurt me and not bring any good news.

I stood up and went towards Sayuri, Alice and my goblin. The goblin was still very quiet and still, which made me glad he obeyed properly. Alice was moving around Sayuri a little while keeping some distance, while Sayuri seemed very focused.

"How is it going, you two?" I asked as I got close.

"Oh, Lilia. Are you feeling better?"

"Not at all. I need a break. So, how is it-"

Another hit. Each time was getting worse than the previous, only furthering the urgency of the situation.

"Lilia!" Sayuri shouted as she ran to me.

I was having little to no trouble standing, but she still tried to help me with it. I gently pushed her aside and continued with what I was saying:

"So, how is it going?"

"We were doing fine, Master. Sayuri-san was still struggling to find how to make use of her magic on the summon but had an idea of what to do."

Alice's usually cheerful and almost childish tone was serious as it never had. It worried me, but I wasn't able to do anything except notice it.

"Alright, I'll let you two continue working on it."

I went back towards the wall to try and sit down and rest. I had another hit from the headache while going, but I was so exhausted that I dispelled the magic without much thought and continued, collapsing on the wall as I slid down to a sitting position.

I wanted to try and think of possible solutions but I was simply incapable of coherent thought, let alone deep and calculated. I was so tired that I closed my eyes and suddenly felt my body fly up and fall down at the same time, losing itself in an uncanny yet appreciated comfort.

I opened them back up in a panic and looked around me, deeply confused. Just what happened? Did I fall asleep?

My headache was still quite powerful but had gone down in intensity to a point my brain functions were back online. I looked around and saw that Sayuri and Alice were still together with my summon.

I took a bit of time to stand back up and get myself back together, then started brainstorming ideas again. Unfortunately, despite thinking of many different things, I failed to find anything.

It frustrated me. I had to find something, and fast. Yet, the only thing I could think of as plausible was reflex training, something impossible in the current situation I found myself in.

I looked back over to Sayuri and Alice. Alice was on the ground and Sayuri was looking at her, pensive. She looked quite serious, an expression I rarely saw on the usually shy and worried Sayuri.