Anima, Ch.5: Calling

[Anima, Ch.5: Calling]
----------------------------
--01-- <BGM: Wake Up in the Morning Sun> {SFX: chicken}
Half past dark o'clock. Another early morning. (sigh)
I stretched, yawned, and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes,
then picked up the book I'd fallen asleep reading from the floor beside the bed.


--02-- <BGM: Wake Up in the Morning Sun>
I lurched down the stairs, and set the book on the front counter.
"Morning," I said, and sat down to eat breakfast.
After a few bites, I asked, "You wouldn't happen to have any other books?"


--03-- <BGM: Man on the Moon>
(Piaras)
You've read every book I've got, Meara. They're kind of hard to come by in a backwater village like this.
Ever been to Dunbarton? They've got a big library down there I'm sure you'd love.



--04-- <BGM: Man on the Moon>
"No, but I've been thinking about it." I took another bite of bread and chewed it.
"Doesn't it take three hours to walk down there?"



--05-- <BGM: Man on the Moon>
"I'd have to turn around and come back as soon as I got there, or else I'd have to camp out on the road overnight."




--06-- <BGM: Man on the Moon>
(Piaras)
You could just use the Moongate there to get back when it activates in the evening.
You'll still have to walk down there, though. They only work at night.



--07-- [Scene: Tir Chonaill] <BGM: She's a Kind Mentor> {SFX: success}
After eating, I took care of the morning routine of chopping firewood to cover room and board,
dropped it off at the inn, then rushed off to the school. It's about time I tried these classes.



--08-- <BGM: She's a Kind Mentor>
At the school, I sat down on one of the benches among several other attendees. I got a few...odd looks.
Really, they're just large ears. And cat eyes.
Stop staring at me like I grew a second head!


--09-- <BGM: She's a Kind Mentor>
The instructor looks over the gathered Milletians, looks a second time as if he didn't believe
his eyes the first time, then looks again at me specifically.



--10-- <BGM: Eagle's Eye>
(Ranald)
Um, you there. Meara. Miss, are you...an elf?




--11-- <BGM: Eagle's Eye>
"Y-yes. Is that going to be a problem?"
It's annoying always being singled out like this.
At least nobody's done anything more than briefly regard me as an oddity before going back to their routine.


--12-- <BGM: Eagle's Eye>
(Ranald)
I don't know. I've never had an elf sign up for my classes.
Just try and follow along, show me what you can do, and we'll see how this goes.



--13--
"I'll try."

It was a hands-on lesson. After a brief explanation of what was expected,
we students were tasked with beating on training dummies with large heavy sticks.

--14-- [Scene: none] <BGM: For The Fallen> {SFX: huge failure}
I got the idea, but I just couldn't go through the motions. I'm still...clumsy.
My blundering, missed swings, dropped weapons, and Ranald's constant reprovals disrupted the entire class.



--15-- <BGM: For The Fallen> {SFX: failure}
I think I just ruined it for every other elf who might follow me here in the future.




--16-- [Scene: Tir Chonaill] <BGM: For The Fallen>
(Ranald)
I'm sorry, Meara, but...this doesn't seem to be your thing. Maybe you'll do better with the archery.




--17--
After a break around midday, the class was given training bows and ten arrows each,
to shoot at a row of archery practice targets. Each had a circle within a larger circle on the side facing us.



--18-- <BGM: The Victor's Star>
I can do this. I think I can do it. Can I do it?
I, I just point the arrow and let the string go, right?



--19-- <BGM: The Victor's Star> {SFX: success}
I hit with all ten arrows!
My last shot hit just within the center circle.
I came close on a few others, and they were all within the big outer circle.
I think I did well! Did I do well?

--20-- <BGM: The Victor's Star>
I got nothing but scowls and jeers from the other students, who all missed their targets
completely on more than half of their own shots.
The instructor seemed impressed...or at least surprised.


--21-- <BGM: The Victor's Star>
(Ranald)
Well done, Miss Meara. Guess there's something to the elves' reputation for archery after all.
The rest of you...well, it was a good first try.
That will be all for today. Class dismissed!


--22--
As I left, the instructor pulled me aside, giving me a disapproving glare.
'Don't come back tomorrow' was practically written all over his face, before he even said anything.



--23--
(Ranald)
Meara, allow me to be blunt. You're lacking the basic coordination I expect in my combat training students.




--24--
(Ranald)
As for archery, I only teach the basics, and you're clearly already beyond that.
Given your...divergent levels of talents, I think it would be best if you continue training on your own. Sorry.



--25-- [Scene: none] <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
I wouldn't call it a wasted day, but...I'm mostly disappointed. Disappointed at myself.
I really embarrassed myself with that sad display of gross ineptitude.
How do you miss a Smash? I found a way.


--26-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
I surprised even myself with archery, though. I suppose it's only because in this world,
elves are just supposed to be naturally good at it?



--27-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
Every shot felt easier than the last, and with practice I think I might become quite good at it.
But there was no...familiarity. Like something you've never tried, but yet immediately enjoy it.



--28--
The next day after my morning firewood collection routine, I went to magic classes instead. There goes a week's
wages from part time jobs. Hope it's worth it.



--29-- [Scene: Tir Chonaill] <BGM: Kind Lesson>
(Lassar)
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our magic class.
Today, we will go into the basic principles of magic and Mana...



--30-- <BGM: Kind Lesson>
Lassar's lessons are as hands-off as Ranald's lessons are hands-on, and is she long-winded!
The students and I end up sitting through two days of lectures before we get to actually try anything.



--31-- <BGM: Kind Lesson>
I think I got the point of her lectures, though. The others seem to be struggling with it,
some more than others. It's simply...familiar to me, somehow...



--32-- <BGM: Kind Lesson>
(Lassar)
Well, I'm sure you're all eager to finally have some practical experience.
To conclude our lesson today, you will attempt to utilize the Icebolt spell.
Remember, don't use this on just anyone.


--33-- <BGM: Kind Lesson>
(Lassar)
First, collect the surrounding moisture with the power of Mana.
Second, lower the temperature with the power of Mana.
Third, create sharp ice fragments by controlling Mana.


--34-- <BGM: Kind Lesson>
(Lassar)
Fourth, shoot them to the target by using the force of repulsion.
Please use the targets outside; I'd prefer if nobody gets hurt today.



--35-- <BGM: Slash!>
All right...let's try this. I focus. Unseen power rushes into my awareness.
There's almost an...eagerness to it. It awaits my command.
I've *done* this before. It's practically second nature!


--36-- <BGM: Slash!>
OK, gotta focus, people are staring at me.
Lower the temperature. Shape the ice. Send the shards flying. Simple!
The conjured spikes of ice fly at the target as I will them to, striking dead center.


--37-- <BGM: Slash!> {SFX: huge success}
This feeling...so familiar somehow!
I can't help but squeal with joy a bit, elated at rediscovering something integral to my past life,
even if it's just a vague feeling. This is more than a feeling.


--38-- <BGM: She's a Kind Mentor>
(Lassar)
All right! Most of you did that quite well. Very good. Understanding theory is one thing, but connecting
your body and will to the force of Mana is something that will only improve with experience.



--39-- <BGM: She's a Kind Mentor>
(Lassar)
Go ahead and practice on your own, and tomorrow we'll begin a new lecture about manipulating heat with Mana.
I hope to see you all then. Class dismissed!



--40--
I couldn't sleep that night.
I've definitely reconnected with something from my past. How exactly 'magic' relates to my previous life,
and to what extent, I don't know...but I'm going to find out.


[chapter end]