Zectas Volume V: The Sequestered Seminary of Sawtorn

by John Nest

  "Oh, right. He did indeed look powerful," said Colere.

  Smoke forcibly blinked his eyes multiple times, to indicate where he planned to end his video.

  "That was great, guys," Smoke said to Colere and Wachs. "Now, I want you to fill up this clay pots with the pompom juice."

  Smoke then signaled Esper to join them. "I'll make about 20,000 pieces of these pots," he said, and then handed her 50,000 zecs.

  "Since you can't wear an actual Alchemist's robes, use that money to go to the Tailors and order clothes that would look like it belonged to one," explained Smoke to her. "You sell them near the market district and near the arena."

  Esper obediently nodded.

  Due to PVP events being held in the arena, Smoke decided to place Esper there. Potions which would restore both HP and MP in one drink was extremely rare, expensive, and useful.

  "Don't worry about the first couple of days," said Smoke. "The sales will be slim to none, but just stick with it and I promise you people will come to buy it."

  "Alright, Fau— I mean Smoke," said Esper.

  "Oh, it's alright, you don't have to call me Smoke anymore," said Smoke. "You can call me Faux, again."

  "Sonstwelters are really weird," Wachs said to Esper and Colere. Both OrkElf leaders nodded without hesitation.

  "But remember, don't sell more than 1,000 pieces in one place," said Smoke. "You can sell 1,000 pieces to a person. But after that, you need to tell them that you need to make some more."

  "Why should they do that?" asked Wachs. "They'll have all 20,000 clay pots filled and ready."

  "The reason for that is to entice the public's demand," explained Smoke. "So, what you do is, find a different location in the city. Preferably somewhere in the same district, but the opposite direction."

  "And you're sure that will work?" asked Esper.

  Smoke saw the excitement in her eyes. It was clear how much she wanted to make a great profit for their settlement, and Smoke knew that this was a great way to get it.

  "Alright, you two, I'm counting on you to make great sales," said Smoke. "Oh, and make sure there isn't a pomegranate in sight when you sell those potions."

  "You got it, Faux," said Colere.

  "Leave it to us," added Esper. "Hm, Faux, how much is our split on this? Are we fifty-fifty?"

  "Sixty-forty, but we'll talk about the specifics later," said Smoke.

  After watching the unedited video, Nash then immediately began cutting out the unnecessary parts. Due to them being inside the earth-doughnut structure, the pomegranates trees were completely hidden in the video.

  'Although, Colere and Wachs looked like vagrants, I think their clothes could pass off as undergarments,' thought Smoke.

  It took him over thirty-minutes to finish his video edit, which left him less than thirty-minutes to get a quick power nap before logging back in.

  Nash locked his computer screen, and collapsed on his bed. Without looking, his hands automatically found his alarm clock, which he set for thirty minutes.

  * * * * * *

  With about five weeks left until the tournament, Smoke was patiently waiting for the elderly HighElf to begin their training. During his stay in the seminary, Smoke was asked to remove his earth-mask. This, he readily complied, as the only other people there were Eleve and Flora.

  Yet, despite the urgency, he did not mind. For what he was truly after was a clue on the Magietrois, and what could be a better source than one of their direct students?

  Squatting on tatami floors reminded Smoke of his time in Saruras Village. He wondered how the Simiavulgs were doing. Especially, Saru, the albino Simiavulg who greatly helped him learn the ways of the Manatl.

  Suddenly, his thoughts were disrupted as Eleve called him out.

  "Go on, drink some more, Faux," Eleve said to Smoke.

  Against his will, Smoke finished one more cup.

  "By the way, where's Flora?" asked Smoke, noticing the flower girl's absence since he got back online.

  "I sent her on an errand," said Eleve. "Seeing as she's the one who brought you here, then she should be the one to do all of the leg work."

  "Leg work?" asked Smoke, confused.

  Eleve took a sip from her cup, and sternly stared at him.

  "Forget about Flora," said Eleve. "Are you here to train for Magi Gagnant Tournament or not?"

  Smoke silently nodded.

  "Then, I have a few questions for you," she said. "And for this to work, I only ask you to be honest. You don't have to tell me the whole truth, just as long as you answer the important points of my question."

  Smoke felt Eleve's gaze intensify as she spoke.

  "Can you do that or not?" asked Eleve. "Cause if you can't, then we might as well stop now."

  "I can do that, I can be honest," said Smoke with all sincerity. He had no intention of lying, as he felt that she had the capability of detecting false statements.

  Eleve raised her eyebrow. She took in a deep breath and gently placed her tea in front of her.

  "First things first, I'd like to know what you want to learn here? Is it to improve your Earth Manipulation ability? Clearly, this is what you had expected. Or do you want to learn the will of the flame?"

  Even during the times he was logged out of Zectas, Smoke was thinking about this topic.

  "To be honest, I have another elemental ability," said Smoke. "I can also control Lightning. It's nowhere near the level of my Earth Manipulation, but I believe given time I could master that as well."

  Without a word, Eleve swiftly picked up her teacup and threw it straight at Smoke's forehead.

  "Ouch! What was that for?" asked Smoke, rubbing his forehead.

  "Are you playing dumb? Or are you just stupid?" asked Eleve. "Don't you know that Earth and Lightning are opposite elements?"

  "I do know that," said Smoke. "But there's a certain percentage where I could still get a decent amount of power from both of them," he reasoned out.

  "Tell me this then, which has the higher chance of winning," began Eleve. "Someone who has completely mastered one element or the other who has two but doesn't go near the level of mastery?"

  "Well, that depends," said Smoke. "The one who mastered an element could have a low life bar. He could be placed in a trap. Or one out of the two elements could be a counter element of the— Ouch!" he suddenly cried out, as another teacup came crashing into his head once more. "Stop that! You know you can just tell me I'm wrong."

  "Now, where's the fun in that?" asked the batty old Highelf. "Did you count how many conditions you said in that one argument?"

  "What does have to do with anything?" asked Smoke, still rubbing his head.

  "Well, my dear, that just tells you how low your chances of winning are in a straightforward fight," said Eleve. "Let me tell you right now, if you want to become a decent Manipulator of the elements, then drop Lightning."

  "But isn't one of the members of the Magietrois a master of Lightning?" asked Smoke.

  "Yeah, one of them is, but I never met her," said Eleve.

  "Yeah, about that, how did you meet Magietrois Florissant?" asked Smoke. "What was she like?" He probed with caution, concerned that asking several questions about her teacher would piss the touchy old lady.

  Eleve fondly smiled.

  "I was about nine or ten, when I first saw her. The Magietrois Florissant then was young, about thirty-five. It was the 919th Magi Gagnant Tournament, and before the finals started, she stepped onto the stage and called forth a phoenix. It was the most mystical creature I have ever seen," began Eleve. "Its flames were red as scarlet, but they did not feel hot, not even warm."

  Eleve's eyes dazzled, recounting the memory of meeting her master for the first time gave her the most winsome smile.

  "When she was done performing, she got off the ring and suddenly went straight to me, out of everyone in the crowd," said Eleve. "She asked me whether I was enjoying my monotonous life or if I was interested in being her disciple."

&
nbsp; Eleve blushed.

  "Me, being very young and naive, was completely enamoured by her beauty and power. She made me feel so special, and I regrettably said yes," she said smiling.

  "You said you regretted it, but why do you look so happy?" asked Smoke, and gave her a grin.

  Eleve guffed.

  "Well, Florissant promised me a life of wonder, excitement, a life filled with magic," she said. "But when I got here, it was even more dull and boring than back home. Everyday, it was the same thing. Read books, memorize spells, soul meditation, and mantra chanting," explained Eleve, shuddering away the unpleasant memory.

  "At first, there were over a thousand girls. They were all about my age," said Eleve. "But when I turned eleven, there were only a hundred of us left."

  "Wait! Florissant didn't eat them or devour their souls did she?" asked Smoke, alarmed.

  "Of course not! Florissant was kind to all of us," said Eleve, disapprovingly.

  "You say that like it's a bad thing?" asked Smoke.

  "She was so kind in fact, that it made me feel irrelevant," she explained. "She knew all of our habbits, traits, and even our dreams. When I turned twenty-one, there were only three of us left. The others were convinced that they had learned enough, and left to help the outside world with their gifted talents."

  "So, why did you stay?" asked Smoke. "And how's Magietrois Florissant doing now?"

  Smoke leaned in closer, hoping to learn more about the Flame Magietrois.

  However, Eleve raised her eyebrows and sternly stared at him. "Anyway, I've said enough. I've digressed for far too long."

  "So, will you drop your Lightning Manipulation or not?" she asked again.

  "By drop do you mean stop using it?" asked Smoke, taken aback.

  "No! I mean unlearn the ability altogether," said Eleve.

  Stunned, Smoke could not reply and his mouth fell open.

  "I'll give you thirty-minutes to think about it," said Eleve. "I'll be back by then. If you do decide to keep the Lightning Manipulation, I will have to ask you to leave the Florissant Seminary."

  Eleve stood up and left him alone in the room.

  "Wait a minute, are you serious? Is this some sort of test?" asked Smoke, but did not hear a reply from the batty old HighElf.

  'Should I do this?' he asked himself. 'We were still talking about her meeting with the Magietrois and suddenly she changes the topic to me losing an ability.'

  Smoke moved his chin closer to his chest and said. "Igniz, do you think this could be a trap? The last time I trusted someone who claimed to be a Magietrois, I lost my Transmutation ability."

  The metal orb on Smoke's chest showed no changes.

  "Do you think I pissed her off? You know, asking about Magietrois Florissant?" asked Smoke.

  Igniz let out a bright purple light. Smoke could only guess that his symbiote just shrugged in response.

  "Right, I should make this decision myself," said Smoke. "After all, I only have myself to blame for my own actions."

  Smoke stood up and ran after Eleve. Despite walking slowly, she was already several meters away from him.

  "I'll do it!" he shouted. "I'll drop the Lightning ability."

  Eleve stopped, turned around and smiled at him. "Very good."

  Suddenly, she instantly vanished and reappeared in front of him. Her hand touched his forehead and he was pinned against the wall.

  A red progress bar appeared with 'Lightning Manipulation' written on it. Smoke instantly felt a searing pain on his skin as if Eleve's palm was burning him. His instincts told him to fight back, but he forcibly restrained himself.

  A notification window popped up as soon as the progress bar completed.

  - LOST ABILITY: Lightning Manipulation

  Smoke thought that Eleve was going to let go of him now, but then she pushed even harder. A new progress bar with the same red color appeared. He tried to look at what was written on it, but he could not read it.

  Instead, a notification window popped up.

  + Learned Ability: Fire Manipulation

  Active

  Level: Beginner Level 1

  Experience: (0/1,000)

  * Strength and duration of the constructed object depends on:

  the user's knowledge of the object

  the user's Fire affinity

  the level of this ability

  * Range increases as level increases

  Effect: Manipulate fire within 10 meters

  MP Consumption: 200 MP/second

  Eleve then released him, and he unintentionally slumped to the floor.

  "Good choice," said Eleve. "Now, let's begin."

  * * * * * *

  Squatting on white marble floors in the center of the largest training room of the seminary, Smoke and Eleve were staring at a single lit candle. The chamber was devoid of light, but Smoke could feel a subtle breeze.

  "Tell me, what is it that you wish to accomplish with this training?" Eleve asked Smoke.

  He thought about telling her that he was looking for the Magietrois, but decided to give the other reason.

  "I'm here to gain the power to defeat Ouragan," said Smoke.

  Eleve snorted, but quickly suppressed herself.

  "Since you're intention is to fight against a Prime Wizard in the next few weeks, I will have to use the more unconventional methods in training you," said Eleve. "If I feel like you can't go on, I'll tell you immediately and that will be the end of it."

  "Don't worry, that will never happen," sadi Smoke.

  "We'll see about that," guffed Eleve. She then pointed to the candle's flame.

  "The specialisation of the Fire element delivers good and sustained single target damage, as well as incredible cleave capabilities," said Eleve. "Also, Masters of the Fire have little to no mana issues."

  Smoke respectfully nodded, as he was intent on learning his newly acquired ability and its mastery.

  "As a Fire Elementalist, you will have access to a broad range of spells," she said. "Some are applicable for both singular or multiple target situations, while others are exclusive to one."

  With a steady flame, the luminance of the the candle quintupled, as Eleve projected out four more floating lights of the same flame.

  "In multiple target situations, the strategy you will use will depends on several factors," said Eleve. "Such as their resistance to Fire, their physical and magical defense, their health points, and your mastery of the element." she said, while suddenly extinguishing the flames one by one.

  "Why don't you try what I just did?" she asked Smoke, pointing to the candle.

  Smoke bowed down before attempting the exercise. He directed both his palms at the flickering fire. His mastery of the Earth and his experience with learning the Lightning element helped him manipulate the flames.

  Slowly, the single flame flickered and two more flames floated beside it.

  "That's not bad," said Eleve. She then threw a minute fireball from her hands, and it hit Smoke right in the face.

  "Ouch! What was that for?" asked Smoke, rubbing his nose. Since he entered the seminary, he found himself getting more injuries than learning anything.

  He had experienced strict teachers before in Saruras Village when he was learning his Manatl, but this was the first time to be under a physically abusive instructor.

  "Just curious if you could deflect it," passively said Eleve. "You'll need to learn that."

  "Why do you do that? Was Magietrois Florissant like this when she trained—" began Smoke, but a small fireball appeared from behind him and sent him flying across the training room.

  "Talking about Magietrois Florissant is now off the table," said Eleve. "You, who are not her disciple, have no right to talk about her. If you broach the topic again, I will kick you out, understand?"

  "Yes, yes, of course," said Smoke, raising himself up from his sprawled position. Despite the small fireball, it still dealt 10,000 damage points.

  "Now, repeat the exercise again," said Eleve.


  At once, Smoke ran back to his spot in front of the candle. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before splitting the flames into three. Sure enough, Eleve sent one of her minute fireballs at him.

  Yet, this time, Smoke was able to deflect it while still maintaining the floating flames beside the candle.