After preparing the bonfire, I open up the little lantern for the Salamander but it seems to still be asleep. So instead, I pick it up and put it in the bonfire myself, which seems to wake it up. It then slowly starts to chew away at the firewood taking little nibbles out of it.
“Do you like the firewood?”
It nods.
“Alright, we have more where that came from so just eat as you like.”
It nods again.
Getting to my training I first start with manifesting the dark crown and right after practice the Fire Ritual. I don’t have the ability to absorb fire element mana yet but I can still practice the dance. It feels completely different to perform the fire ritual. The dark ritual feels like fighting against being drowned by darkness, while the fire ritual feels like dancing in a burning building both avoiding pillars of flame and also approaching them to dance with. Uli taught me I need to not fear the flames and instead of dodging them embrace them with confidence and let them lead me but it’s really hard. Especially since I need to learn to maintain the Dark Crown while also practicing Fire based techniques. What makes it even harder, is that I have a dark affinity that makes it easier to learn the first dance but I have no other relevant affinities so I’ll have to learn all of the others the hard way. But still, I’m sure as long as I keep practicing I will learn them eventually!
I then keep practicing while occasionally putting in more firewood for the salamander. When I’m done it’s already evening and everyone’s relaxing at the fire.
“You done, oki? How’d it go?”
“I still can’t absorb the fire element but I’m starting to get the dance steps down.”
“Hmm I see, well for the fire element just remember it’s a whooshing feeling that comes in waves.”
“I…I’ll try to keep that in mind.”
“Also, does that spirit mind if we use the flame to cook or should we start another fire?”
“I don’t know, let me ask them. Is it okay if we use the bonfire to cook with?”
The Salamander nods its head.
“Alright thank you! But would you prefer if we made a different fire for the cooking?”
It seems to tilt its head a bit then shakes its head.
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“Seems like it's okay with us using the fire to cook.”
Letting out a sigh, Rayla answers, “Thoma I don’t understand you when you speak the spirit language.”
“Oh sorry! I didn’t realize. I was saying that it seems okay with using the flame to cook with.”
“Gotcha.”
Fascinated, Sher Aka asks, “So is that what the spirit language sounds like? It’s beautiful. It almost sounds like you’re singing.”
“Does it? I don’t really know what it sounds like. My head just automatically translates it to Uni.”
“How fascinating, to me it sounds like you’re singing and speaking at the same time. I guess that’s why it’s said that Spirits always sing beautiful songs.”
“Hmm…Maybe I’ll ask some spirits if they can teach me some songs in the future.”
She seems happy when she answers, “I’d be very interested in listening to them. Also, if I may ask, provided it is not a rude thing to do, could you point at where in the fire the spirit is sitting? I’d like to know if I can see anything different at that spot.”
“Oh sure, it’s sitting right here.”
“There?”
“Yep.”
“Hmm...Sadly it doesn’t seem like I’m able to perceive a difference. How about you John?”
“Hm? It’s supposed to be there, right?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, I don’t see anything, how about you Rayla?”
“Hmm…I don’t necessarily see something that looks like a lizard but I do notice a clump of fire mana in that spot. I don’t think I would have paid it any mind though if Thoma didn’t tell me there is a spirit sitting there.”
“Gotcha, I guess spirit art users are different.” John answers, slightly dissapointed.
“I mean if you want we can probably teach you. Thoma knows how to absorb the Dark Element, he can teach you how to do that.”
“Oh, no thank you. I don’t want to be tied to the whims of spirits nor do I want to die from anything other than old age.”
Confused, ane cogs her head, “What do you mean with the last part?”
“Well, if you don’t have a natural lifespan anymore you are bound to die through some violent way and I don't want that.”
“Okay, but what does that have to do with absorbing dark mana?”
John looks at the both of us incredulously, “Don’t tell me you don’t know this. When you absorb natural mana your body gets rejuvenated. As long as you keep doing it, you will never age past your prime. Isn’t that the point of becoming a spirit tradition mage? Each year multiple mages and monarchs attempt to learn it even partially to extend their lives but because it is only passed down by spiritual tradition mages and the spirits themselves it is almost impossible to learn, that’s why it’s mythical.”
“Huh…Did you know that oki?”
“Nope.”
“Are you fucking kidding me!? Do you guys just walk through life blind and deaf or something!? You two are way too abnormal in the first place and you don’t even know it!”
Looking at me, Rayla answers, “I dunno…Are we really that weird? I mean, sure Thoma has some rare attributes and a curse but otherwise he’s pretty normal. As for me, I don’t think I have anything weird about me, I’m pretty average.”
“...”
“I give up. Sherry I take back anything I said about feeling like I’ll never fit in anywhere, next to these weirdo idiots I’m normal.”
“Oh? Perhaps you just fit in here because you’re a weirdo too.”
“Nonono, don’t lump me in with these people.”
“Tiahahaha.”
“Eh!? Why are you laughing like that Sherry? Are you sick or something? I’ve never heard you laugh like that.”
“Pfft, it’s just…I feel like I’ve finally found some good people for you.”
“Hey! I said don’t lump me in with them!”
“Tiahaha, sure, sure…”
