Land of Athlora

*Chapter 7 - Exit

Wren impatiently asks, "Is there anything else?"

Hermit removes his hand and says, "For the ogre side, I am sure you are already aware of the immense hunger and immense strength of the Ogre. There is a small talent for nature magic, but that merely implies that you will thrive in a forest and have a green thumb. Other than a general weakness towards Fire Magic, you didn't gain any other weakness from that side. And naturally, of course, the Ogre Clan Head ability, but you already know that. Although, interestingly enough, your immense strength is further augmented by the Frost Giant lineage."

Hermit paused and glances down at Wren who does not look shocked by the news. Hermit clears his throat and says, "Your other half of talent for magic comes from Frost Giant lineage and naturally your talent for water and ice magic. Normally, there would be a weakness from earth magic, but the ogre side tempered that weakness away. Other than a talent for swimming and fishing, there isn't any other loss or gain."

"Did I inherit blood magic as well?" Wren asked.

Hermit purposefully does not reply and claps his hands to his face. Wren instinctively takes a step back from Hermit, could it be that Hermit finally lost it? Wren's face darkens as Hermit smiles his eerie perverted smile at her. "Pervert," Wren mumbled under her breath.

Hermit triumphantly says, "Now my student," only pausing to savor the words.

"This idiot probably has never taught anyone," Wren rather disillusioned thought to herself. "I who grew up in a brothel should feel ashamed of falling prey to the schemes of such a terrible conman."

Hermit cheerfully continues, "As I was saying based on your heritage, current age, and time that we have let's start with of illusions. It should come naturally to you given your lineage. Now, the easiest way to learn is to cast an illusion of yourself much like a mirror image that mimics your actions. And naturally the best way to learn is to practice casting an illusion, while running for one owns life."

Wren grumbles, "As expected of an ultra-S!"

"It's really simple really, you run, I chase, but if I catch you I'll just chop off a limb," Hermit happily said as he waves a broadsword that wasn't there a second ago.

Ignoring the magical feat, Wren considers her options as Hermit adds, "In the spirit of fairness, I'm giving you a one-minute head start-!" Before Hermit has finished, Wren has already run off leaving him the dust.

As she runs, Wren finally understands why Hermit didn't have any students, who could survive that lunatic? One would have to be insane to benefit from having a teacher like him. But what did that say about herself? Ignoring that last question, Wren stretches her senses to access her magic pool within herself.

Breathing in and out, Wren tires to imagine extending a string from her magic pool to begin to create an image of herself. Hearing footsteps behind her, the string instantly falters in reply. Wren hurriedly calms her emotions and tries again as the footsteps get closer causing her heartbeat to rise. Hearing the sound of a blade moving, Wren leaps to the side but is unable to fully dodge as the blade cleanly slices off her hand.

Ignoring the fiery pain, Wren continues to run as she hears Hermit stop behind her. This madman must clearly be a murderer on the run! Or that of a pervert! Wren was personally inclining towards the second option as her arm burns in pain as her hand regenerates.

Not bothering to glance back lest she slow down or trip, Wren once more starts again. This time the string of magic extends further and begins to form a shape. Footsteps cause the string to wobble, but digging her nails into her palms, Wren steadies her heart as the illusion continues to roughly form.