The Distant Trail Of Ciara Badvia

The Saria Magic Academy
Part 4: Magical Talents

A PERSISTENT SINKING FEELING

The next day, Tyril had no morning classes. She visited Master Forster’s laboratory and was told to recount her studies yesterday.

“Professor Ragnak might be rough around the edges,” he later told Tyril, “but he’s a leading expert in the training of the fundamentals of magic, and his skills are beyond question. If you truly aspire to become a top-tier mage, learning the basics from him is essential.”

Tyril was silent. It made sense to her logically, but emotionally, she was rejecting the idea of taking any more of Master Ragnak’s classes.

“I can’t even use magic at an average level… I heard I have Ciara Badvia’s blood, so I hoped that I could become a decent mage by studying here, but maybe… maybe it’s impossible, after all.”

“But you have not been studying for long, nor have you proven anything yet.”

Tyril faltered. He has a point. It had only been a week, and she’d barely practiced her magic. She didn’t even know how to train it in the first place.

“I don’t think I’m confident enough to face such a strict teacher, though…”

“For now, try working on the task you were given yesterday. I’ll observe as well.”

“Understood,” Tyril mumbled weakly. Then, she concentrated, summoning ice.

“Mr. Spirit, please. Create a shard of ice on my palm…” As ever, she incanted softly, her lips moving only ever so slightly.

A piece of ice the size of a raindrop emerged from her open palm. However, it melted quickly in the warmth of her hands. She tried multiple times, but the results were no different each time.

“Was it the same as yesterday?”

“Yes…”

Forster hummed and sighed, his wrinkled brows furrowing even deeper. He sat in his chair, staring intently at Tyril’s hands while she awaited his words nervously. Her body grew increasingly rigid at the heavy silence.

A voice from behind her abruptly broke that silence.

“It doesn’t seem like there were any problems.”

“What?”

Startled, Tyril jumped and spun around. Dyne stood in a spot she thought was previously empty, his arms crossed.

“Ah. I’m sorry for surprising you. You were quite focused on your magic, so I stayed quiet to not disturb you. Anyway, as I said, there is nothing particularly problematic about your display, in my opinion. Right, Professor?”

“I-is that so…?” Tyril lowered her head, her voice quavering. She tried to still her racing heart and peeked up at Dyne’s expression.

“But… if that really is the case, then perhaps the real issue is because of your talent after all. Maybe you truly didn’t inherit Badvia’s talent, or—”

“Dyne. Enough.”

Forster suddenly spoke up in a tone so tense and frosty that it seemed to make Tyril’s spine freeze. Dyne, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. He offered an apology lightly while chuckling and ruffling his hair.

“For now, it’s as Dyne said—there is no issue with your approach. There is one thing that worries me, but it is only conjecture on my part. I’ll inform Professor Ragnak about it. It might be a good idea to give it a proper look outside of your practical class hours as well. Tyril, go to his research lab and talk to him in person.”

“Uhm… Yes, I will.”

Forster seemed to suspect something on his own, but it appeared he wasn’t willing to share it. That, on top of having to go for personal instruction to the strict Master Ragnak, was quite disheartening.

No, no. Look at it another way, Tyril decided. Going there personally means not having to waste other people’s time. That’s much better than being scolded and humiliated during class. Probably.

“Your schedule for today is… just one class, hm? That’s good. Once that class is finished, head over to Professor Ragnak’s. I will explain things to him beforehand.”

“Understood…”

Even with Tyril changing her perspective, her mood wasn’t lifted so easily. Hiding as much from Master Forster and Dyne was currently proving to be difficult for her, too, so Tyril declined their invitation to stay for a while and read since there was no morning lecture. She replied that she would come back in the evening, then quietly left the research room. Dyne’s concerned gaze trailed her as she left, which made her both happy and annoyed.

She trudged down the corridor, letting out sighs all the while, descended the staircase, and stepped outside the research building. It was then someone called out to her from behind, stopping her in her tracks. Tyril was met with a sight she rarely saw outside—a figure sporting a gentle smile and black hair.

“Misty…”

“Judging by your look, you’re still feeling down. Well, I suppose you wouldn’t recover that quickly from yesterday’s events.”

“Misty, what do I do…”

Tyril nearly sobbed out those words that came from deep within her chest. She despised how pathetic she sounded.

Misty stroked her head. “It’s not as complicated as you might think. Just keep training with magic as you always have. Learn efficient methods and incorporate them into your training. And if you’re still coming up short, ask your professor for help.”

“But what if they say I’m no good with anything?”

“Then we’ll fix things, one at a time. There’s no need to rush. Besides, you weren’t told that you were doing something wrong, right?”

That’s true. Tyril couldn’t deny that.

“You went to see Professor Forster, right? What did he say?”

“Well, you see…”

Tyril recounted to Misty everything she’d been told. Forster seemed to have noticed something, though she wasn’t able to make sense of it nor did it inspire any confidence.

“Well, why not just trust in what your professor said? There might be things he can see that both of us can’t. Anyway, we’re in that exact situation right now, so you should just do as you’re told!”

Misty put her hand on Tyril’s shoulder and gently stroked it, laughing loudly, while Tyril pouted, teary-eyed, almost looking like a toddler.

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MTL/N: Dyne is sus.

For more from the author, visit:

Narou: https://mypage.syosetu.com/1258514/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/inui_takafumi

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Last revisions: 01/09/23

Glossary:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_D4XF1ID8j7zti3pG-fqtcd0h0T9aZHK_CXsCrr5gwY/edit?usp=sharing

Revisions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jS9QeSLaJfl6P_-Gl-zAY0dnKPep3or9fUl-HPukc9g/edit?usp=sharing