*28*

"M-me?!" I stumbled back a step. "Why would I be the reason you're researching Orelie?"

"Ever since I heard about you using multiple magics." He said softly. "But that's not the only reason. I've caught you staring at Myla and I. It's not the usual staring. You're focusing on something. My research brought me to a passage about Orelie and their Visions."

I gulped. "I stare off into space sometimes. Is that a crime?"

"It's not daydreaming." He said firmly. "You're trying to see something. You're seeing things about us. Just tell me the truth."

He moved and stood right in front of me. "Are you, or are you not, an Orelie?"

My heart was racing in my ears. I've never gripped my staff as hard as I am now. I was scared. He figured it out. All because of what I can do, and what I thought I was doing in secret. He's way more observant that I thought.

I lowered my head, my hair covering my face. "Please don't tell anyone..." I barely whispered.

It was silent for a long while. I was beginning to shake as it dragged on. What's he going to do? Will he keep my secret? Will he tell everyone?

"You're asking me to keep a secret, Orelie?"

"Sh! Sh sh!" I hushed him by covering his mouth with my hands. "Not so loud, please! I've already been hunted twice for who I am..."

Striker gently pulled my hands from his face. "Hey, it's alright. I promise I won't tell anyone. I was just playing with you. I didn't realize you'd been sought after before."

I nodded slowly and pulled my hands back. "Once by a Drake and Dwarf, the other by a Witch... I don't know what the other two were going to do, but the Witch was taking my blood, sweat, and tears for herself. Apparently, it's supposed to strengthen them."

"That's also why I have this..." I pulled up the sleeve of my cloak. "My blood is addictive to Demons. It also gives them a powerful boost, especially if they're a Blood Demon."

He gently brushed the hair from my face. "Your secret is safe with me. I promise not to tell anyone."

I gave a weak smile. "Thank you."

"Now," he clapped his hands, startling me. "Let's collect those flowers, yeah? I think we need a little pick-me-up after that. Come on." He waved me on as he started walking again.

I sighed softly and followed after him. I'm grateful that he'll keep my secret. I don't know what would happen if the wrong person found out. It could spell disaster.

In total, we picked two armfuls of flowers. We had to wrap them in a special cloth so the poison in the sap wouldn't come in contact with our skin.

Our conversation was lively as we headed back to the academy. I've never felt closer to Striker than ever. He knows my secret, and won't tell anyone. I trust him.

It's amazing how quickly he figured it out all on his own. I didn't even drop any hints, yet he picked it up in everything I said and did. I guess a naturally curious mind can be a good thing.

Striker brought us back to the Alchemy room so we could store his flowers. They were placed in a magically enhanced container that will keep the poison from getting out, as well as keeping any residual magic from getting inside.

"A graduate about fifty years ago made this container possible," Striker explained. "No magic gets in, no magic gets out. It's perfect for storing things that are magically sensitive. These flowers aren't, but they can be affected by magic, so better safe than sorry, yeah?"

I grinned. "Of course. Don't want your project getting ruined. So, how did you figure it out?"

He grimaced. "Well, it wasn't easy. With Alchemy, it's all about the Law of Equivalent Exchange. I thought just a couple clippings of hair or skin cells would suffice, but when I figured out I was essentially taking the life force from the flower..."

He showed me his fingers. Upon closer inspection, I could see tiny pinholes that had been healed. "You... gave your own blood to extract the poison?"

He nodded. "It worked. My magic began to do what I wanted and I was able to extract the poison, all for a couple drops of blood."

I looked back to the container. "We gathered a lot of flowers today. Will you be alright when collecting the poison?"

He waved me off. "Yeah, I'll be fine. It's not like I'm giving up all the blood in my body. Besides, I can extract from about three flowers for every two drops of blood. My fingers just hurt like hell afterwards."

"Just be careful," I sighed from concern. "If you need me to, I can be by your side if you need healing."

Striker flashed me a warm smile. "Nah, I'll be fine. Just make sure you and Myla come visit me, okay? It gets kinda boring and lonely without anyone to talk to."

I giggled. "Of course. Well, I best be going. See you later."

"Wait," I stopped mid turn. "You never answered my question. What have you seen in my future?"

I bit my lip, debating on whether I should tell him or not. "A beautiful white wedding. Keep a tissue in your pocket." With that vague answer, I left.

~~~

Two months, two days with Mystic, and an incredible breakthrough with Striker later, I walked confidently through the halls of the academy. My feet and staff tapped rhythmically as I strode towards Professor Rodnik's office. My cloak billowed behind me with each step I took.

This world has done amazing things for me. I feel powerful, magically and physically. Since being here, I have not once felt sick. I'm healthy, and acting as a normal person should. I don't feel the slightest bit of weakness. I feel as if I can run a marathon.

At Professor Rodnik's door, I used my staff to knock before entering. "Good afternoon, Professor!" I greeted him cheerfully.

He looked up with a smile. "Well! Good afternoon to you, too! My, you are just radiant today! Your classes have done wonders for you."

I glanced down at myself. My hips were a bit more defined and my bust had grown a bit. I know he's not just talking about looks, but that was the first thing I saw when looking down. I knew he mainly meant my magic gave off a small wave of energy around me.

Now that I was more in tune with magic within and around me, I could see and feel it radiating off everyone. We all have a unique aura of magic we give off. Each aura is a different color associated with the elements. This must be what they've meant when Orelie can see what people specialize in.

"Yes, Professor. My classes have been so helpful. I feel amazing." I grinned and sat in the chair before him. "In fact, I think I'm ready to move on to the next level of training. Not in my classes, but, the other one."

He slowly leaned forward. "Have you made any progress with that? Is it getting easier?"

I grimaced and looked away. "Through trial and error, the fuzzy background is slowly lifting."

"Hmm," he leaned back and laced his fingers together. "That's not nearly enough. I've known many Orelie who can see futures at a glance, like second nature at your age. I'm not sure if you're ready."

"How can I be ready if I don't have a teacher?" I asked as I leaned forward. "Back then, there were several Orelie! I may be the only one left! How am I supposed to learn if I don't have someone who can teach me the inner workings of that skill?"

"Exactly how the first Orelie did it." He stared deep into my eyes. "Figure it out in your own. Now, come back when you can't see the fuzzy visions anymore." He waved me along.

With a huff, I stood and strode angrily from his office. I know I'm ready. I feel ready. If what he says is true, that area will be beneficial to my magic. Why can't he take me there now?

"Kyrene, wait!" I stopped, my mood brightening a bit at Myla's voice. "Jeez, you walk fast. Anyway, Striker and I are heading into town! Wanna come with?"

"Sure," I said with a smile. "I'll meet you at the front of the academy. I'll be right there." We parted ways so I could get what I needed. Once I had my bag, I headed for the front of the academy. Myla and Striker were already there.

"You ready?" Myla asked as she opened the gates. We stepped outside and began to wander wherever our feet went. We popped into a few shops, but didn't linger for long. Normally, we would head into a shop and stay for almost an hour, but today felt different, and I couldn't place it.

After a while of aimless wandering, we ended up just outside the city. We sat before the lake Mystic and I practice at and stared at the crystal clear water. It was calm and peaceful.

Until obnoxious laughter reached our ears. "Look at those goody-two shoes academy students!"

"Hey, kids! Show us a magic trick!" More laughter followed. I rolled my eyes and advised them to ignore the two encroaching in on us.

"Aw, come on!" One said teasingly. "Don't ignore us like that! Hey, you two babes should ditch this loser and come with us."

I looked up to see who was talking to us. Two humans leaned on each other for support. I raised an eyebrow as they swayed to the side a bit.

Myla scoffed. "As if. You two drunk idiots should go find another tavern to terrorize."

"Got kicked out of them all!" One said proudly. "Now, come on! *hic* We should totally go have some fun together!"

"No." Myla said firmly. "You two need to sober up. Kyrene, can you give them a good soak?"

I stood and held my hand out to the water. "Aw, they're gonna play splash with us!" I brought a huge water bubble out from the lake and let it hover over the two men.

"Dude..." I clenched my fist, letting the bubble burst. They were covered from head to toe in water that ran off them back into the lake. One stood there flopping his mouth open like a fish.

The other glared at me. "Now that was the biggest mistake you could have ever made." He extended both his hands towards me.

Striker was suddenly at my side. "We should go."

"No, stay!" The man chuckled darkly. "The fun is only beginning." The shadows around him shifted slightly.

Myla gasped. "He's a Dark Magic user! Get back!" The two of us suddenly cried out as our feet gave out from under us. "He's using Shadow Grab!"

"Let them go!" Striker took our hands just as the man began to pull us towards him.

"Pesky bug." With a flick of his wrist, Striker was set flying into a tree.

"Striker!" I faced the man again, grinding my teeth. I took aim with my hand extended. What better way to snuff out the shadows than with light?

The area around us lit up. The man stumbled back, shielding his eyes. We scrambled to our feet to get to Striker and leave.

"Not so fast!" The second I took a step, my feet flew out behind me. I fell flat on my face, my staff flying from my grasp. "If I can't get you both, I'll at least take you." I lunged for my staff, barely managing to grasp it as he dragged me back.

I turned over and shot another ball of light at him, but he was expecting it. "Nice try! Your cute tricks won't work on me! What the-?!"

His grasp on my shadow loosened, allowing me to get away. I glanced up to see him half way in the ground.

"Kyrene, move!" Myla held a still unconscious Striker up. I got back to my feet and ran after her.

"You aren't leaving!" Something felt terribly wrong. I turned just in time to see inky black thorns sailing through the air towards me.

I didn't even think. I just raised my hand to try and stop it. My throat began to ache as the thorns pierced my hand, but didn't go through. My arm throbbed as all sound ceased to exist. Am I screaming?

My body convulsed as my heart pounded painfully. What was that? It felt as if something had left my body. My stomach turned over as my heart thudded again.

I could hear muted voices around me, but no sound was actually coming through. My vision was clouded and distorted. I couldn't tell up from down, or what I was even doing-

My body swayed as another awful thud came from my heart.

I was vaguely aware of my arm being pulled back, then shot forward once more. All senses came rushing back as a dark, writhing orb flew through the air and hit our attacker. I took in a gasp of air that wasn't in my lungs for I don't know how long and fell to my knees.

"Kyrene!" Myla rushed to my side and held me up as violent coughing wracked through my body. "Dark magic, too?! We don't learn that from the academy!"

My coughing sputtered as a hot liquid covered my hand. "Blood! Black blood! Kyrene, you've never used Dark magic before, have you?" I weakly shook my head.

"Damn it!" She swore. "I can't carry both of you! I can't leave you, either! I don't know when those two will wake up! What do I do?!"

I slowly lifted my head as several Elementals appeared before us. They didn't speak, but I knew what they were saying. I nodded. "Please... help us. Do what you can." A high pitched chirp sounded.

Soon, dozens of Air Elementals came from the trees and lifted the three of us. They took extra care of me as more blood dripped from my mouth. I haven't felt this weak since I was first brought to Fucrya. I'd forgotten what it felt like.

Startled gaspes rang out as the Elementals carried us to the academy. The air rushed around us as we weaved and ducked around people to get there faster. I felt my body rise as we went over the gates and through the front door.

A few turns later, we slowed down. I was laid down gently on a bed just as more coughing tore my lungs.

"What happened?!" The Healer demanded.

"We were attacked!" Myla ran to my side to help ease the pain. "Two drunk humans came at us and one knew Dark magic! Next thing I know, Kyrene is using Absorption and then Propulsion! She's never used Dark magic before!"

"That's not good!" She called over two more Healers to work over me. "And what about him?"

"He was thrown into a tree! He hasn't woken up yet!" The Healer barked out more orders before sending Myla out of the room.

My head rolled to the side as a powder was dusted over my face. "Sleep, child. You'll feel better when you wake up."

That was the last thing I heard before I drifted into unconsciousness.