Under Garm's amused gaze, Isa frowns openly as soon as she wakes up. In those past two months, she never did more than those two things. First, each morning she had to listen to "Sister" Mavina's endless preaching about safety. Second, in the afternoon she had to watch Gloria's battles against other witches. And, of course, today will be the same, but worse, since Garm won't even be here to listen to her rambling, he has work to do for the settlement.
Truth to be told, the old warrior wouldn't need to do this, as the coven was kind enough to offer them lodging and food for the duration of Isa's stay. He refused, saying that while the offer was greatly appreciated, this would only erode Isa's and his survival skills.
After this rebuke, he obviously needs something to keep his family afloat and presents himself as a mercenary for hire in the village. Of course, at first the villagers looked at him with judgement and disgust, as Albert did years ago, but with Gloria and her mother's words that nothing of the sort was happening, the villagers began to let go of their distrust. Even more so as Gloria goes daily to the forest in order to, in their eyes, play with the "forest girl". Not knowing Gloria's real identity, they are kept in the dark about the reality of those outings, which even give Gloria more leeway to go to the Coven.
As usual, and as expected, Isa finds herself seated in front of Mavina first thing in the morning, after being led here by Gloria. The only relief is that she isn't alone to endure those boring lessons, since Gloria has to accompany her. Mavina said that while this course was indeed one that the little witch would have to learn, it was originally scheduled later but Isa's presence made the old one change her plans.
— Today, sisters, I will teach you about wizard magic. Isa, this will be your only undertaking, since you lack inherent powers. For you, Gloria, I expect that you'll listen with attention too.
Mavina smiles softly at her students, a subtle warmth in her heart.
— While witches can indeed learn wizardry, you'll have to understand that it comes at a cost. Each moment that you'll use to learn wizardry will be one when you won't familiarize yourself with your own powers.
She looks intently at the young girls, her voice full of certainty and life induced wisdom.
— A witch using wizardry will be way more polyvalent, while at the same time less proficient in her own abilities. At the same time, wizardry opens up numerous ways to power, but rarely one tries to master all, as it would have the same caveat. You'll have to think deeply about what you want to do before dipping into it, understood ?
— Yes.
— Understood.
With a nod and a warm smile, her heart filling with soft warmth, Mavina grabs a book from inside her outfit.
— Good. Now, this book is my grimoire, as I did follow the path of wizardry.
At this point, Gloria can't keep quiet even as Mavina's rules for her lessons are to wait for her to ask questions. As the little witch talks, she finds herself targeted by a frown.
— But why didn't you spar with Dorian then ? He would have needed to learn to go against wizards, not witches, right ?
Isa greets her teeth, and Mavina shots her a calm smile before anything.
— First, sister Gloria, while this is not part of the lesson, I would have told you about it afterwards or at the right time. Second, while Dorian indeed need to learn to fight against wizards, what he needed most at the time was to learn to fight against magic, against strong practitioners.
She approaches the two and pat softly on Isa's shoulder.
— I'm not strong, age took its toll on me. So sister Margaret, being our strongest war witch not in travel, was his best pick. Now, sister Isa, what had you so flustered ?
— It's nothing, Ma… Sister Mavina. I just feel, stupid. I lived with him, for months, and I never knew how much he bore.
Mavina smiles again.
— You did miss it at the time, yes, but now you know.
She walks back to her initial spot.
— Back to wizardry. This grimoire, as a wizard, is my most treasured possession. In it are all the spells that I transcribed and mastered.
She opens the book and goes to one of the last pages, keeping what's written inside hidden from the girls. After that, she spoke incomprehensible words before a bright ball of electricity condenses over her free hand. Both Gloria and Isa gasp at the display.
— While witches use their own magic and stamina as price for their abilities, wizards use the ambient one. I could then, theoretically, keep this sustained for multiple lifetimes in terms of power alone. Wizard's spells however, taps into the mental fortitude of their user. With a strong mind, one will be able to use more of their spells.
She then closes her grimoire, waits a few minutes before throwing the electric ball to one of the trees. Sweat can be seen on her face.
— A sufficiently experienced wizard can also cast his spells without his grimoire's help, if he knows it by heart, but I wouldn't recommend it for now. And here comes your next task, sister Isa. You'll have to find what you want to do with magic. Since I believe that you'll stay a traveler, we will wait before talking about more statics or time consuming ways to use wizardry, like runes, enchantments and the like.
As the old witch sits on a trunk, she gazes softly at her students, caring about not giving one more attention than the other. She sees that both seem deep in thought, Isa rubbing her chin as her foster father often does and Gloria looking at the ground while pacing.
— Say, sister Isa…
Called, she stops her thinking and turns her head to Gloria, ready to answer.
— Do you know how to read and write ?
Isa immediately lowers her head with a blush.
— I… A little… Garm told me when he could…
— If you want, I can teach you ?
Mavina smiles warmly at the two girls, despite none of them looking in her direction. While Gloria focuses on Isa's reaction, this one beams in joy.
— Yes! I mean, yes, please… Thank you so much Gloria.
Mavina, still smiling, gently clears her throat.
— Sister Isa, please refer to us with "Sister" as long as we are in class please.
Isa nods sheepishly, her joyful grin still present on her face.
— So, what do you want to do with magic, once you'll have a grimoire ? I have to be the first to know !
With a cheeky grin, Isa put a finger on her chin playfully.
— I don't know… Maybe I should let all the coven know before you ?
— You traitor !
Mavina has to refrain from a chuckle in front of their antics, as the girls still lack the ability to stay focused on one thing for too long. She won't intervene however, as long as the main subject stays Isa's future specialty.
The morning session continues like this, between serious reflections about the future and playful banter from the girls, under their elder's soft gaze. As hours pass, the sun goes higher and higher in the sky until, a few minutes before the end of this session, Isa stops mid-banter and turns to Mavina who arches an eyebrow.
— Sister Mavina, if I learn a path for some time, until I attain one goal, I will still be able to change paths afterwards, right ? I know that it will be considered wasted time for the end path, but… I still don't know what I want to do for life but…
She fidgets sheepishly, causing an amused grin to form on Gloria's mouth while Mavina's soft smiles subtly widens.
— I have a short-term goal, I want to help Dorian with his own goal. So… I would like to focus on this.
— I see, it's a possibility and a good choice. You have to know, sister Isa, that no path is wrong in this endeavor. Everything you learn can, and will, come in handy one way or another.
Isa smiles softly and nods, reassured.
— Then that's what I'll do. I will begin by focusing on learning how to help Dorian.
Gloria smiles bemusedly, while Mavina nods wisely.
— Good. You found a path more quickly than I thought. Now, what would help him in your opinion, as his magic is quite unheard of ?
Instantly, Isas's hand shot to her chin, and she strokes it again.
— I, I could find ways to buff his shadows, to reinforce his strong points, right ?
—Yes, you could. However, remember one thing. Dorian's magic may be unheard of, but his foe already knows about it, even if her knowledge is already years out of date. She is also a wizard.
Under Mavina's arched eyebrow, both Isa and Gloria lose themselves in thoughts.
— Sister Mavina, are you saying that she may have a way to impede Dorian's summoning ? If this is true, then even if sister Isa can biff his shadows this won't be helpful since, even buffed, they won't be able to come and help him ?
Smiling, the elderly witch nods without a word. She finds herself proud of her two students and their ability to think together. Isa grits her teeth learning this.
— I understand, I'll have to think about it too. Sister Gloria, will you help me to find a path for this please ?