The Beast Within

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

"Auris? What is your ability?" Ceraun asked after everyone had put themselves back in order again.

"L-light Magic." She stuttered, still put out of place by how she was swept off her feet. "It is not so powerful or particularly useful, I'm sorry."

“It’s usefulness remains to be seen, mind showing us?” Ceraun asked, seeming the only one who could hold a reasonable conversation with her.

Auris nodded with a hum putting out her hands.

Ceraun leaned forward curiously, his eyes fixed on what she was about to do when Adrik snorted.

“Her magic is light, you’re going to get yourself blind.” He pointed out with an expression that was not particularly surprised, it was exactly the kind of thing that Ceraun would do.

Adrik was curious though, perhaps her light was not even all that impressive especially in the sunlight and his reprimand to Ceraun would be highly unnecessary.

However that was not the case, identical yells of pain erupted from all three at the blinding light that Auris made, it was almost like she held the sun in her hands.

Auris immediately closed her hands on her light, extinguishing it. “I’m so sorry.” She apologized, visibly distraught as she watched the three boys writhe on the ground, hands thrown around their faces as they tried to relieve the pain.

“Auris? Is that your opinion on not so powerful?” Ceraun rounded up on her when he could bear to open his eyes without feeling like plucking them out.

“Or not particularly useful?” Haneul added, rubbing his still stinging eyes.

He had never seen her use her powers, he had not even been sure what kind of magic she had, he decided that he did not want to see it again.

“Don’t be so hard on her.” Adrik was the only one to support her. “Apparently she has no idea how powerful her magic is because the light doesn’t affect her.” He stated.

Ceraun blinked in realization, hurrying over to shove his face uncomfortably close to Auris' face to get a better look at her eyes.

“It is why they glow, is it not?” He asked curiously, resisting the urge to grab her face to get a better look because she kept averting her face shyly at the close proximity.

“I-I t-think so.” She stuttered, unable to look Ceraun in the eye even as his black eyes peered unblinkingly at her.

“Nobody likes your ugly features in their faces, Feyrer.” Adrik snatched him back, keeping a firm hold on Ceraun’s arm who looked like he might like to look more at Auris’ iridescent irises.

“But that is very impressive magic, Auris.” Haneul said in approval, his voice quiet.

“Thank you.” She smiled brightly, perhaps she would get to live on for a couple years longer.

“But it is probably only useful when you are fighting against Mages and non-Mages.” Adrik pointed out. “Against magical creatures who may not be affected by bright light, it would not be exceptional useful.”

“She is still going to have to train hard.” Ceraun said bluntly. “She could not even get here by herself and we run here every day… ow!” Adrik kicked Ceraun’s knee to get him to stop rambling.

Auris looked defeated, her hands clutching each other in front of her. “You all run here?”

“We have been practicing for months, the first time Ceraun fainted.” He lied without remorse.

Ceraun was stricken. “Oy! Adrik! I did not!”

“I think we have more important things to deal with, Feyrer than you losing consciousness like a sissy.”

Auris snorted out a laugh through her palm, coloring up immediately. “Sorry.”

They all shared a hearty laugh at Ceraun’s misery, Ceraun giving them evil looks.

They all halted their plans for the day to help Auris start off her training, firstly they had to help her get to the point of being able to run a reasonable distance without going dizzy.

If they wanted to teach her how to fight or learn any defensive skills, she had to be at least strong and sturdy enough to make a fist.

“You are not going to get stronger if you keep stopping each time you get tired.” Ceraun exclaimed in exasperation, throwing his hands up when he turned to glance at Auris only to find out that she had long stopped running beside them and was a little distance behind, hunched over and gasping.

Auris was already too exhausted and already getting accustomed to their presence to feel bashful. “Is that not the entire reason to rest?” She muttered cynically, dying was actually starting to look like a much easier option.

“Because if I have to run around another boulder, I just might walk right off, find a wild lotus, snack on it and take a cool, refreshing drink from the river.” She added in a shaky voice.

They all blinked in surprise at her abrupt rant, Haneul looking worried.

“Maybe you can rest for a bit.” Adrik quickly caved in.

Ceraun looked like he might like to disagree but he knew that Adrik and Haneul would turn against him. “Fine but we have to change our schedule or we won’t be able to get any training done.” He offered up, making the rest glance curiously at him to hear the rest of his words.

“After the end of today, each one of us will help her train for a day while the others train by themselves and the next day another person.” He suggested with a straight face, already seeing the panic dancing in Adrik’s eyes at his suggestion.

Haneul and Auris however seemed impressed by his plan, it was pretty smart because that way, they would still get to keep training while also helping out Auris.

Ceraun could tell though that Adrik did not want to be left all alone with Auris, well that was not particularly his problem, the dunce should have thought of that before calling him a sissy.

“I think that is a splendid plan.” Auris clapped happily. “I’m so very grateful.”