Sorcerer Elite

"The Al'shuran Codex is regarded as humanity's source of sorcery. Students at the academy are allowed to choose one of the three prime spells to focus on, as learning more than one is difficult, Kai'len."

"Which are the three prime spells, and how difficult are they?" I asked. "I'm guessing Exort is one of them."

Aki cleared her throat before speaking. "Exort controls heat, Xaldris manipulates electricity, and Aqualix governs water. These spells are written in Invrick, the language of sorcery."

She paused, making sure I was following. "As for their difficulty... listen carefully, Kai'len."

"I'm listening," I said, eager to understand more, especially about Invrick.

"I've only learned Exort, so let's start with that. To learn Exort, you first need to read its codex entry, which was originally written by its visionary." Aki explained.

"Visionary? What's that?" I asked.

"Visionaries are people from ancient times who received visions from 'god'."

"God? Like Światło?"

"I don't know," she said with a shrug. "Some god gave humans visions—take Adam from the Luminary Codex, for example. But the church calls him a prophet, not a visionary. The Al'Shuran Codex, however, came from the continent of Aldun, and they don't worship Światło."

"So Adam could have been a visionary?" I asked, intrigued. "But if the people of Aldun don't worship Światło, then who do they worship?"

"Kai'len," Aki sighed, "I came to Dagon to learn sorcery, not history lessons. I don't know! Let's stay on topic."

"Right," I said, trying to refocus. "Go on."

"Anyways," she said.

"To learn Exort," she continued, "you have to understand its codex entry—the context of why Exort exists. The entry is usually given to us in a separate copy because they don't allow anyone to read the actual Al'shuran Codex. And it's not just a few pages long—it's the length of an entire novel."

"What?" I gasped. "A whole novel for just one spell? That's insane!"

"Yes," Aki nodded. "The entry is that long, and every word is laced with mana. As you read, it's engraved into your mind. The sensation is agonizing; your head aches with every word, as if you're experiencing what you're reading. Most students can't read it in one sitting. If you try, you'll faint. It's only once you finish the entire entry and understand the context that you can invoke Exort."

"What's it like reading the codex entry for Exort?" I asked, curious.

Aki wore a complicated, almost conflicted expression before replying, "The Exort codex entry feels like you're being burned alive..."

It's hard to imagine—being burned alive while reading? "I'm amazed you survived that."

I encourage her into something that painful. I do feel guilt inside.

She laughed. "It was child's play. I'm sure you'll be able to do it."

"Is that so? That's reassuring," I replied.

"Why is it so long, though?" I asked, my mind spinning. "Can't they just shorten it?"

"The official entry in the Codex is shorter, but it's laced with such powerful mana that reading it could permanently damage your mind. To make it manageable for students, they diluted the potency of the mana by expanding the text, spreading its effects over a longer length. It's the only way they could make it safer."

"That sounds terrifying," I said, shuddering. "So, they watered it down just to make it bearable?"

"Exactly," Aki said. "The mana still affects you, just in smaller doses. It's the only way they could make learning possible without risking permanent harm."

"I understand now. So how do you actually cast it? Or should I say, how do you invoke Exort?"

Aki smiled, a gleam in her eyes. "Now that's where it gets interesting. There are two types of casting: mentally and orally."

"Okay," I said, nodding. "Seems simple enough."

"Let's start with the easier one—oral casting. You speak the spell aloud, along with the combination of the invocation you want, while recalling the context of the spell from the codex entry. This method is easier because it redirects the magic through your mouth, so it doesn't put too much strain on your mind."

"That makes sense," I replied. "What about mental casting?"

"Mental casting is the more straining method," Aki explained. "It's all in your head. The benefit is that no one can hear you casting. But it's much more taxing because it relies solely on your mind. Most sorcerers prefer it because it strengthens their mental fortitude."

"Got it," I said. "Now, what about the combinations you mentioned earlier?"

Aki hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's complicated. Once you've mastered Exort, you can modify it with different prefixes and suffixes. They change the spell's properties—enhance it, alter its shape, or even combine it with other elemental spells."

"Can you give me an example?" I asked, leaning forward.

"Sure," Aki said, thinking. "If you know Xaldris, you can combine it with Exort. But remember, if you can't visualize the outcome of the combination clearly, the cast will fail."

"Right, so it's all about visualization," I said, nodding. "Can you tell me about the prefixes and suffixes?"

"I know two prefixes," Aki said. "The first is 'AL,' which increases the spell's intensity. It costs more mana and puts a heavier strain on your mind. You have to visualize which part of the element you want to intensify. The second is 'Lesh,' which weakens the intensity, reducing both the mental strain and mana cost. It's useful for conserving energy."

"So, if I say 'Al Lesh Exort,'" I began, "Al increases the power but also raises the mana cost, Lesh reduces the strain and the power and mana spent, and Exort gives me heat, all modified by those prefixes?"

"Exactly!" Aki said, her voice full of pride. "You've got it."

I grinned, my excitement building. "This is incredible! Can you teach me?"

Aki has this concerned look on her face, too noticeable. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

Her sadness was so obvious, she didn't even attempt to hide it. "Kai'len," she began, "I can teach you sorcery, but you have to promise me one thing."

Her tone didn't reassure me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"What is it?"

"Don't tell anyone, and never reveal that I'm the one who taught you," Aki said, her voice serious.

That didn't sit right with me. "Is there something I need to know? A catch, perhaps?" I pressed, needing to understand more.

"Don't ask that," she snapped, not giving an inch. "Just say yes or no. Will you promise or not?"

Confusion lingered as I searched her face. "Aki, what's wrong?" I asked softly.

She glanced down, her gaze heavy. "I'll teach you, but it puts us both in danger."

"How so?" I asked one last time.

She stared straight into my eyes, her expression of genuine concern, and said, "Teaching sorcery to an outsider without a license is.... illegal."

Chapter end.