Thanks, Star Lady...

Chapter 5: Melt Me Mommy?

I rummaged through the remains of the fallen, trying to ignore the unsettling atmosphere that clung to the cave. It wasn't exactly a glorious moment, picking through old skeletons for gear, but hey, a guy's gotta survive, right? I pulled a tattered black cloak from one of the bony figures and draped it over my shoulders. It smelled faintly of dust and decay, but it was better than nothing. Next, I grabbed a piece of shoddy leather armor—barely held together, but at least it offered some protection. A short sword, rusted but still sharp enough to do some damage, was strapped to my side. Lastly, I slung a battered traveling pack over my shoulder, hoping it might contain something useful later on.

As I gathered the last of my loot, I muttered under my breath, "Sadistic vampire... loves messing with me. Of course, she'd find a way to freak me out even in a situation like this...""What was that?" Carmilla's voice was as smooth as silk, but it cut through the air like a blade.I nearly jumped out of my skin, spinning around to face her. "N-Nothing, ma'am!" I stammered, standing at attention like a soldier caught slacking off.

Carmilla raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on her lips, but said nothing more. With a flick of her wrist, she gestured for me to follow her deeper into the cave. "Come, Owari. The dungeon lies ahead. There's an exit that leads to a town—it will be the fastest way to reach civilization."

As we moved through the dark, winding passages, the air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around us. The path was narrow, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side, and the only light came from the dim glow of fungi clinging to the damp stone."So," Carmilla began as we walked, "before we reach the dungeon, there's something you need to learn. In Eldravia, magic is tied to specific words. This is known as The Lingua Arcana. Most people in this world can use at least one word spell. These are simple spells—like starting a small fire or lighting up a room. But more powerful spells can be created by stringing together these magic words in unique orders."

"Like a whole magic language?" I asked, trying to keep up with her explanation while also keeping an eye on where I was stepping.

"Exactly," Carmilla nodded. "Ignis is a word that, produces a flame. But if you were to combine it with the word Sphera, you could create a flaming sphere. However, be warned: those who are not trained in the study of Lingua Magica or who are not powerful enough to control these more potent spell phrases can bring great harm to themselves or others. It takes skill and practice to master."

"Got it. So, I'm guessing you're going to teach me some of these words?" I asked, trying to sound eager despite my growing unease.

Carmilla stopped and turned to face me, her expression serious. "Yes, but only the basics. You'll start with Ignis. It's a simple spell, perfect for a novice like yourself. Conjuring a mote of fire is straightforward, but don't get cocky. Even the simplest magic can backfire if you're not careful."I swallowed hard, nodding. "Understood."

Carmilla's gaze softened slightly, and she gestured for me to continue walking. "Let's begin. Focus on the word—Ignis. Picture the flame in your mind, feel the warmth, the energy, and then speak the word with intent." I took a deep breath and focused, trying to imagine a flame in my hand. "Ignis," I whispered, but nothing happened. Carmilla's voice was calm, almost patient. "Again, with more focus. You must believe in the magic, Owari. Feel it within you." I tried again, this time putting more effort into it. "Ignis!" I felt a flicker of warmth, but still, nothing appeared. "Keep practicing," Carmilla said as we continued down the dark passage. "You'll get the hang of it soon enough." As I walked, muttering "Ignis" under my breath, I couldn't help but think about everything that had happened since I met Carmilla. She was clearly powerful, knowledgeable, and more than a little sadistic. But now she was teaching me magic. Real magic. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.