Lessons in Passion [Koura/Passion]

[Koura]

The ancient city of Caledor lay nestled on a large island in the Bay of Dusk, its many white towers rising towards the heavens. No-one alive could recall exactly when the city had been founded — elven tribes had been living on the southern parts of the grand continent for centuries before Alith Anar, the first Phoenix Queen, had brought together the discordant and bellicose clans. This had taken place more than two millennia ago, back when the elven sages had merely dabbled with the arcane. It had been Anar and her mages that truly came to understand the nature of magic, harnessing the primal energies like none before them. It was the war mages that won Anar’s wars and allowed her to build her empire nigh unopposed.

With eight generations having passed since the days of Alith Anar, the tales regarding the founding of the Phoenix Empire were now all but legends. The ancient records were full of misunderstandings and embellishments added by scholars who had never met the Phoenix Queen themselves, yet claimed to understand her motives. While much had been forgotten, it was widely agreed the mages that had won Anar her empire had established the Academy of the White Tower to formalize the study of magic. During the years following Anar’s death, the once small town Caledor had grown rapidly into a bustling city with many noble families building their estates on the surrounding hills.

Nearly two-hundred meters tall and half as wide, the White Tower was magic made flesh, arcane energies thrumming along the tall pillars and arches that supported the weight of the white marble. It was said that the tower would collapse under its own weight should the magic woven into the stone ever fail. Within its hallowed walls the elven sages and seers plied their arts, studying the arcane as well as passing the knowledge to the young. Hundreds upon hundreds of young elves flocked to the ancient halls every spring in hopes of being accepted into the academy with the sages testing each and everyone for aptitude. Not everyone was born with the ability to tap into the and not everyone who could had the mental fortitude to truly channel the power. Every year, hundreds of young men and women would have to return home with the knowledge that the doors of the White Tower would never open for them. But for each fourty or so souls turned away, one would be called to join the academy — to don the white robes of an acolyte and dedicate themselves to the study of arcane. While in theory anyone could join the academy, the vast majority of the students hailed from a small number of noble families known for their mages and the potency of their bloodlines.

The academy was led by a council of seven men and women, each holding a seat associated with one of the colors of the rainbow. This tradition harkened to the seven seers that had first sworn their allegiance to Alith Anar when she had first risen to prominence. Seven seers that had won the Phoenix Queen her empire. Each of the seven was a master of magic and arcane, each having spent decades or in some cases even centuries studying and perfecting their art. It was these men and women who were tasked with teaching the next generation of spell-wavers that would serve the empire. The elven mages graduating from the White Tower had many responsibilities. Some learned to read the waves, guiding the dragon ships around the dangerous shoals and allowing the distant cities trade with each other. Others learned to shift the winds, ensuring bountiful harvest by carefully altering the rain patterns according to the season. It was mages that allowed the elves to mine deep into the mountains, harvesting precious metals and gemstones coveted by the northern realms. Without magic, the empire could simply not exist.

With the survival of the elven empire tied to the magical prowess of its people, much responsibility was laid on the seven masters. Each and every failed student was felt keenly, just as each and every graduate was a source of immense pride. The masters were protective of their students, sometimes to the point of being obsessed with them. This meant that each student had to both learn to control the powers they possessed and to manage the whims of their teacher.

 

[Passion]

The Phoenix Queen had made waves in elven society that were still felt today. The elves' desire to learn and grow with magic seemed boundless after the queen had opened their eyes to depths of magic that were once unknown.

Those who tapped into her teachings were quick to make names for themselves. One of these noble families was the Vello family. Many generations ago, they were tasked with aiding the royal gardens and farms. Their ability to use Nature Magic had given the land both beauty and nurture. A few even managed to get positions as storm watchers as they learned to control and tame wild nature.

There was variety in the large noble family, but with each generation, the Vello's didn't become stronger, they became weaker. Out of touch with magic and nature, the Vellos were quickly forgotten, left to hang onto their noble status by a thread.

Currently, the Vello family was made up of twelve children. Nearly all of them were duds when it came to magical talent, but their ninth child was a bit different. Born on a stormy night, Vaeri was born simmering with mana. There was no doubt that she was fated to be a talented mage like the honored Vello ancestors.

She could influence storms, heal, grow various plants, and most impressively, speak to the voices/spirits of nature. However, the latter was rather overwhelming, but the pure fact that she could put her apart from the rest. Vaeri was favored by her parents, even more so when it came to fruition that her younger siblings also appeared magically stunted like the rest. Vaeri was her family's last hope of retaining their status by making a difference and impression in Caledor.

---

So, when spring admissions were open for White Tower Academy, Vaeri felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. Usually, Vaeri was quite a confident young elf, but getting accepted and making a name for herself at White Tower was extremely important. So important, she could hardly function the days leading up to her interview. She was fixated on practicing and getting it right. Her mind was plagued with 'what if's?

She couldn't fail.
Failure wasn't an option.​

The first real test was getting up before sunrise to arrive at her interview with the admissions team on time, but Vaeri hadn't even slept. The perfectionist stayed up and practiced answers to questions that might be asked, and spent longer than needed grooming her pale pink hair. She was early for her dawn interview, and her picture-perfect smile helped to hide the tired redness around her lilac-hued eyes.

"Good morning, I'm Vaeri Vello. It is lovely to meet you all!"

✉️

OFFICIAL LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Dear Councilors,

Based on our records, all eight of Vaeri's older siblings have failed round one. Despite the dreary results for the Vello family line, Vaeri shows a substantial amount of promise. While further testing will be needed, even during her interview, We could sense admirable and unique energy in the young woman. Not only that, but she expressed determination to learn. She appears responsible and focused.

As of now, Vaeri says she can perform some nature magic. Most impressively, she can hear the voices of nature. She said she is more eager to learn how to control primal magic to further her abilities.

Even though she is a first-year, we highly recommend that Vaeri Vello be seen immediately by a member of the council for further testing and review.

- The Admissions Team​

---

​

Sleepless, Vaeri waited for a letter or knock at her door for information about the next steps or if she was rejected. She couldn't stomach thinking about the latter. If she was ever rejected, her family would not only be heartbroken, but Vaeri would lose her only purpose. Her magic was so tied to her identity, that failure would shatter her existence. The White Tower had to accept her. She was gifted in-tune with magic for a reason; it had to be fate.

​

Her hopes, dreams, and overall future for herself and her family were in the academy's hands.​

 

[Koura]

The admissions were a spectacle on a grand scale. Traders of all sorts flocked into Caledor along with the families of the aspirants. With all the inns and guest houses full, many had to rely on the hospitality of their relatives. Over the centuries, the Day of Admissions had grown to represent the continuation of elvenkind. The narrow streets that wound around the White Tower were jam packed with elves young and old, taverns and tea houses filled with laughter and song. Noble houses flew their banners with pride, colors of the ancient houses fluttering in the gentle winds. Despite the pleasant spring weather, the air in the city had a sense of urgency. Everyone knew that something important was taking place. Rumors spread like wildfire with the fortunes of noble houses a matter of much speculation. Old names such as Vello, Amara and Eanur were on everyone's lips.

---

Within the White Tower, senior students gathered to discuss the applicants, their hushed voices echoing in the hallways. Each and everyone clad in white had their own ideas on who should be accepted. They had all seen the public examinations, watching the young men and women channel their magic on the courtyard. Only the select few applicants that could light the arcane crystals handed to them were allowed to the halls of the tower to be examined by the admission team. Once done with their interviews, the applicants were herded into small rooms to wait, unsure if they had passed or failed the second part. Everyone knew that no more than every third candidate passed this step.


Two possible outcomes waited for everyone. A white-clad novice might appear at the door, offering to escort the applicant out. Those unlucky who failed at this point were widely known as whitewashed — a sign of shame that would follow the person for the rest of their lives. An elf cast away at this point of the trials was considered spiritually faulty, likely struggling to ever marry. Some century old superstitions ran deep. Others would find one of the seven masters at the door, inquiring the applicant if they would have time to discuss their motivations. These lucky few knew they would likely pass, even if the masters were known to fail some students at this point. With dozens of young elves waiting for their turn, this part of the exams took hours.

---

There was a soft knock on Vaeri’s, the old wooden door opening quietly. At the doorway stood an elven man clad in dark greens. His long, lustrous hair glimmered in the soft sunlight. "Good day, child." the master bobbed his head. Stepping in, the sage glanced around, his blue eyes eventually settling on the young woman. “Vaeri of the house Vello?” The question was inane. There was no way the master would have not known who the young woman was.

Similarly, there was no way Vaeri would have not known the man. The Master of Hearts. Tethis of house Alcandar. The Green Seat. Lord of the Mists and Rain. The old mage was known by many names, his name already included in the annals of the empire. Tethis was the most potent spellweaver of his generation — his command of the arcane legendary. Few were the seers who could draw as much power and channel it with such precision.

Tethis was also the arbiter of Vaeri’s fate. Her future was in his hands.

“I hope your day has been pleasant so far?” His voice was soft and dripping with honey. “Vaeri?” the master mouthed her name almost as if he was tasting it. A short pause, Tethis pausing to allow the young woman a moment to answer. A soft smile crept on his lips. He loved the tension in the small cell, reaching to taste the sweetness of her emotions. Fear, despair, passion, anger, lust — emotions were all like fine wine to Tethis. "You have been recommended." Now she would know. Watching the news sink in, he stepped a little closer. "Only one small thing remains. You must convince me. You can do that, can't you Vaeri?" the master asked, smiling still.

"Show me." he beckoned her, snapping his fingers to conjure a small blueish flame that sat flickered hungrily on his palm. "Anarion's Flame." The cantrip he had chosen was simple — almost too simple. Most elves able to touch the arcane could do as much. "Show me, child. Make it burn bright."

 

[Passion]

All I can do is my best...

That was all Vaeri could tell herself while she sat there nervously awaiting the news about her performance. Vaeri was the type to always give everything her best. Ever since she was a child, she had been an overachiever. This was mostly due to how she was raised, and so Vaeri was diligent to the point it could backfire. She had many sleepless nights as she studied, trained, and planned for the admissions. It had consumed her life, especially with the pressure that it was up to her to keep the Vello's under noble light.

She had spoken passionately about her magic at the interview, and during the public examinations, she had impressed many with her ability to control the nature around her. She danced with rain, gales, and flowers with both elegance and strength.

All I can do is my best...

Vaeri tried to make peace with whatever outcome might await her. She knew she didn't do terribly, but... what if her best wasn't enough? It would be soul-crushing, and would not only damage her reputation but her entire family's.

Dressed in a black sundress that exquisitely contrasted against her pale skin and hair, Vaeri's slender fingers played with the trim of her dress that lay upon her thighs. At times, she would tremble in her seat, her breathing sharp. The anticipation had her feeling weak.

Knock, Knock.​

The young elf's pupils dilated and she held her breath. As the door opened, she waited to witness her fate. The face she would see would leave her wonderstruck.

Is that actually Tethis?! The Green Seat himself?!

Vaeri felt faint, but she wouldn't allow herself to be such an embarrassment. She was stunned to not only see that a member of the council had knocked on her door but also the Lord of the Mists and Rain himself! While Vaeri used various forms of nature magic, she found that her magic was best during violent weather. It was more than likely due to the alignment of primal energies hidden within nature, and most of the time Vaeri found such forces in storms. So, she had read much about the Lord of Rain, inspired by his work.

"Y-yes!" She took a sharp breath to try to steady or at least attempt to mask the tremble in her voice. "My day has been very exciting, Sir Tethis. Especially now that I have the honor of meeting you." Her heart was ready to leap out of her chest. "I hope your day has been pleasant." She wanted to get up to properly introduce herself, but she was in too much shock to move, but at least she hid it well with her bright and warm smile. There was so much life and hope in the woman seated before him.

Her heart skipped a beat when he told her that she was recommended. It was obvious to some degree since he had come to see her himself, but hearing it come from Tethis had her on cloud nine. "I'm flattered...." It felt like she was going to melt, explode, suffocate in bliss but, she wasn't yet entirely in the clear; celebrating had to wait.

Her soft purple eyes gazed up at the towering idol when he stated what else she had to do. How could she ever impress someone like him? Of course, she wanted to be a student of White Tower to learn, and to expect utter perfection from her would be unfair. She wouldn't be a master of the arcane without guidance and education.

"I'd be happy to." What he wanted for her was simple, but there was always more to magic than what met the eye.

Finally, the elf that was a few inches over five feet stood from her seat. Despite her lithe figure, there was magic and resolve kindling behind her lilac hues. Much like him, she snapped her fingers, and particles of mana quickly weaved together to produce a purple flickering flame that floated in the palm of her hand. It would seem that purple was her signature energy color, but what was notable was how the simple spell was weaved. The mana within her spell flowed and was laced together flawlessly.

The purple illumination bounced off her face, and as if to mildly show off, she caused the mana within it to ripple. The light flickering with a pattern, the energy in the air following the same pattern set by the mage. She would then abruptly intensify the spell by pouring more mana into it. It grew intense in her palm, and yet still perfectly under her control while the room was washed over by purple light. The obedient elf gazed fixated on him for further direction.

 

[Koura]

It had been Tethis and his acolytes who had called up the storm that had decimated the Tessalian invasion fleet. The death-toll that had followed had forced the neighbouring kingdom of men to sue for peace. It was said that the wailing of widows could be heard across the Gulf of Serpents. It was a victory the elves celebrated still, two hundred years after the war had been brought to an end. Similarly it had been Tethis that had ended the drought that had plagued the western heights. He had spent weeks in the wilderness studying the winds and bending them to his will. The arcane weaves he had left in place had been studied since. The Phoenix Queen herself had knighted him.

Vaeri was in the presence of a living legend. A man of inviolable honor, known for his devoted service to the Phoenix Throne.

---

“I am glad to hear that.” Tethis bobbed his head, smiling softly as he did so. His bright blue eyes settled on the young elf. No candidate made it this far on mere chance alone. The girl had to have some potential to make the cut. Potential he would need to gauge one way or another.

“I am fine, thank you.” While the common courtesy demanded the exchange of pleasantries, Tethis did not quite have the patience for the intricate dance of words. Not when he had still four other aspiring students to interview. He needed to unravel the young woman, one way or another. He needed to see if she would break under duress. He wanted to be certain that she had the verve and vivacity to serve the empire. A spellweaver needed a primal hunger for life. Raw ability accounted for little.

“I remember being here myself. Well, not in this particular room. Nervous. Stiff as an old oak. Not quite sure what to do with myself.” He spoke softly, seemingly taking no offense with Vaeri not managing to stand. He wanted to put her at ease. He wanted to see if she could control her emotions. To have any hopes of graduating from the White Tower, the applicant needed to be able to leash their emotions, even if they felt they were about to be overwhelmed.

Tethis could feel the skittish and anxious energies oozing from Vaeri. She was so young and so full of life, her presence almost intoxicating. It did not take more than a few words for the nervous energies to shift and blend, the air now heavy with excitement and joy. All it had taken was Vaeri to learn she had a chance. He could tell just how acutely she felt, her jumbled emotions sweet as they were raw. “Good, good.'' The older man rewarded her eagerness with a soft smile, his eyes meeting with hers for a moment. For a moment she gazed into eternity itself.

“Exemplary.” Tethis praised her efforts, flicking his wrist to dispel the flames that he had conjured only moments earlier. “Still, a spell a child could manage.” She could hardly question his words. Pouring mana into a focused source of light was often the first cantrip taught to everyone with the potential to work magic. “Now let’s see what you are made of. More.” His voice sharp, the older mage commanding her attention.

“Focus.” he commanded Vaeri, stepping past her, reaching to brush his fingers against her shoulder. Faintest of touch meant to test her nerves. “Good.” Standing just behind the young woman, Tethis laid his hands on her shoulders, his breath warm on her neck. Close as the tall man was, Vaeri could smell him. Plum and sandalwood — an unique scent likely crafted for him by one of the skilled perfumers living in the city.

“Feel your source. Focus on it.” He waited a few moments, allowing her to get used to his touch. “Describe it to me, child. Careful. Don’t let the weave escape.” The master-mage cared little for her answer. Instead, he wanted to see if she could maintain her weave constant while she spoke. “Good. Don’t let the flame die.” Leaning closer, Tethis dug his fingers into her shoulders. He knew he was hurting her. Distracting her from the simple task she had been given. “Show me what you feel. Use it.”

 

[Passion]

There was unbelievable pressure just being in the same room as the legendary man. She tried to remind herself that they were both just elves, but he was much older, wiser, stronger, and far more renowned than her. Still, she knew she had to somehow keep her resolve to not disappoint. As anxious as she was, this was also a joyous day. She was recognized for her talent!

Just like she was told to do, Vaeri held a purple flame of magic in her hand. She couldn't help but accent such a simple spell with some flare. She was curious why he had her doing something so simple, but she knew better than to openly question the master's methods. Still, hearing his praise was like music to her ears. She nearly fell into a trance just looking into his eyes, but she was quick to snap out of it. She had to stay focused.

He told her 'more', and so she gave the spell even more of her mana. Like fuel to a flame, the light expanded and burned with more intensity. The vibrations from the active mana added a light static to the air, which tickled the young elf's tender senses. Her mana was rich, lively, and youthful; there was no doubt that she was born with an edge over the average elf. The arcane came easy for her; well, at least the foundation that she knew.

As she held the live magic in her palm, it flickered when he touched her; she was caught off-guard and the spell threatened to dissipate. However, Vaeri wouldn't allow it to, she carefully tightened the weave of her spell. It was flustering to even have a hiccup in front of the legend, but she was quite stressed meeting him for the first time while her fate was yet to be secured.

She kept her hand extended out before her, Vaeri's gaze glued to her spell, although her mind started to race when he put his hands on her. He was close... so close that she could feel his heat and pick up on his signature scent. He would surely feel her tremble off and on, struggling to contain herself, and while that risked her spell unraveling, it shined even brighter. Her reactions prove to be both a strength and a weakness.

"It feels like... a bottled storm. Wild, yet contained." That was exactly how she would describe her magic at default. She kept a brewing storm within her under control to avoid a hurricane. However, at her current skill level, she was not actually that big of a threat, although she had the potential to be, and the temptation to unleash was high, but like a proper mage, she exercised her command over the arcane. "It can be hard to control, but my natural essence is so potent." That it was. The static in the air continued to build from her brightly burning passive spell.

A faint whimper slipped from Vaeri as his nails dug into her. It hurt enough that it distracted her some, which caused excess mana from her spell to shed in the form of small motes of purple light. The light particles floated around them like fireflies, making the room glimmer, but the core of her spell still didn't break and held strong.

Then, she followed his order, lessening her control just enough to set off the spell. A pulse of mist and wind shot throughout the room, causing the chair she sat on to go flying against the trembling walls, and risked giving the man an unintentional but hefty slap of magic as well due to being near her. The woman had raw power, and her magic did appear connected to her emotions, a sign of one who could tap into primal energies.

The spell was a bit wilder than she expected, but that was due to her nerves. Instead of playing it cool, the honest woman was distressed at her own performance. Would she be disqualified?! "I apologize, I accidentally overdid it! Are you okay, Sir Tethis?" Of course he was okay; he was the Lord of the Mists and Rain. She would blame her nerves and excitement, but she was proving that emotions could be her strength.

 

[Koura]

“Good, but watch your weave.” Tethis snapped even as Vaeri poured more of herself into the flickering flames. He smiled softly as saw the purple tendrils grew in intensity. A man of his experience could easily follow the arcane patterns the young elf wove. “Too loose here.” He tapped her side gently. “Too tight here.” Long, slender fingers reached to brush against her elbow to indicate where she had lapsed. “Careful, child. Focus.” he demanded, a hint of annoyance seeping into his voice. Tethis was in a dour mood. He had already had to dismiss two applicants. One of the two had managed to set herself on fire when she had lost the control of her weave. This was why he had asked Vaeri to start with something simple.

“Yes, good.” He almost purred into Vaeri’s ear as she channeled more of her mana into the cantrip. The weave she had spun was bright and vivid, her small frame brimming with energy. Yet Tethis was certain that Vello scion could do so much more. “Excellent. Show me what you are made of, Vaeri.” Tethis beckoned the young woman, speaking her name as if he was her lover. He wanted to see how far she could push herself. He wanted to see just how strong she was.

“Storm?” The master huffed softly, a hint of disdain dripping in his voice. “Barely a gust of wind child.” He ridiculed the young woman to test her resolve.“Wild as a kitten.” Had Vaeri been able to see the man behind her back, she would have seen him grinning as he sank his fingers into her shoulders. “More!” The young woman answered to his call, slivers of the arcane shimmering around her for a moment. “Yes.” Tethis whispered, his breath warm on her ear. Seeing what was about to happen, the master mage tapped into his own reserves and deftly spun a protective mesh around them both. The tendrils of his delicate weave reached to touch her very soul.

One injured girl was enough for the day.

As the explosion she brought forth rocked the room, Tethis remained unphased. He had been able to see her weave unfold and had known what to expect. “You are strong.” he murmured, glancing at the chair she had accidentally tossed across the room. When Vaeri turned to the man behind his back, she found him smiling. His light green eyes gleamed with curiosity. “For someone of your age, at least.” he did not want Vaeri to think too highly of herself. Not yet, at least.

Relaxing, the mage allowed the shield he had conjured to melt away, Vaeri perhaps able to feel the sudden lack of presence around her. “Yet your weaves are clumsy.” the tall man nodded, tilting his head to the side as he took stock of the pink haired young woman. “Like a toddler trying to walk. Watch.” Raising his arms, Tethis pressed his hands together, only to pull them slowly apart, strands of warm magical energies glimmering between his fingers. Focusing, he fed the delicate threads another morsel of mana, causing them to glow brightly enough for the young elf to see.

“This is what you want.” Pulling his hands further apart, he stretched the gleaming strands, each delicate stitch of his weave perfectly identical. “See?” Tethis asked, slowly tugging and pulling the weave, causing the small knots of arcane energy wax and wane. “This way there is no strain between the source and the font.” Font was the point from which the magic flowed freely into the world — the final stitch upon which the weave terminated. “Look.” He pushed his hands closer, the knots growing smaller before allowing the spell to fizzle, golden sparks dancing in the air.

“Try again. Focus on every stitch as you weave them. Match every new bind with the previous.” he commanded Vaeri, moving to stand behind her once more. “Take your time.” She could feel that tall mage rest his hands on her shoulders. “No matter what happens, don’t let go of the spell. Focus, child. Do your family proud."

 

[Passion]

Vaeri had always been diligent with her work as a mage, and while she was here to learn and grow, it was still flustering to be nitpicked by a master for what should be an easy spell. Her body tensed as he pointed out the tightness and slack in her weave. With the pressure and her nerves getting to her, she did her best to correct her weave as suggested and pour even more mana into it. Her spell grew in illumination and intensity until it all went off as a burst of magical energy. Tethis had spotted the wild activation in the spell, protecting them both from a force that rocked the room. That was the first time she felt his magic close to her. Yet his simple barrier spell was tickling at Vaeri's senses more than she ever thought it would. Was it his power? Her admiration? Just the fact that this had been a stressful moment? No matter the case, it felt as if there was a buzz of static resonating in her core.

She held her sweaty palms together and humbly bowed her head. Her pale face had a wash of red running across it. "Th-thank you!" The sweet elf was so nervous around the talented mage, even when he complimented her. Her head was feeling light, but she would continue to fight through her nerves. "I am capable of more." She knew that wasn't her 'best', but she wasn't sure if she'd be able to deliver it under pressure; that was one area in which she could grow.

Her lilac eyes bounced around the room when the shield dissipated; the emptiness of his presence after feeling it felt like a void, a kind that gave her a chill. She would more or less repeat herself, "I...I can do better!" she would subconsciously take a step towards him while she burned in her resolve.

Hearing that he thought her weave was childlike made her feel sick to her stomach. She didn't want to be rejected and looked down on by one of her idols. She let a hand of hers hover near her pounding heart, it looked like she was ready to cry. Not just in sadness, but in frustration since she cared so much. It was ingrained in her that keeping the Vellos at a respectable noble status was all up to her. There wasn't a plan B for Vaeri, this meant nearly everything to her.

Watching his example, she witnessed how perfect his weave was. She could not only see it with her eyes but also feel it with her senses.
Wow...," she breathed; impressed. Her pointed ears twitched just being near such simple yet masterful magic. He wanted her to copy such a form, and while she doubted she could make it as flawless as him, she still had a talent for the arcane. One that she somehow had to convince a master quickly of.

"I understand." She took a deep breath to try to calm her nerves; his touch and magical presence lingering in her mind. Those thoughts would not serve her now, and so she did her best to dismiss them. Only one thing mattered right there and then: "Focus...," she mumbled to herself. She closed her eyes and held up her hands together. It would look much like she was praying as she focused on the mana flowing through her and then to her hands.

Her palms would glow a light purple, and once Vaeri felt like she had a good enough foundation, she would slowly pull her hands apart. As she did so, she would take her time weaving. This time, she knotted the weave even closer together to make sure there were many channels in which applied mana could move throughout it. Like a complex road system of her rich mana, the elf continued to craft as she slowly pulled apart her hands. Her eyes would open once she felt like she had a hold on her delicate focus. She would make not only her family but also him proud.

What Vaeri would weave would be quite impressive based on its complexity and sturdiness, but that was as long as her focus didn't shift too much from the spell. Her concentration was deep and yet thin at the same time.​

 

[Koura]

"Yes." the Master of Hearts smirked as Vaeri watched his handiwork, the young woman visibly impressed. It was no wonder. The tall elven mage was undeniably the finest spellweaver of his generation and easily among the finest the empire had ever seen. Men and women able to channel so much power so precisely were exceedingly rare. Where most elves had to struggle to draw upon the arcane, Tethis breathed magic, able to draw power from sources others could not sense or feel.

"Watch child and learn." Smiling, Tethis twisted the golden threads that clung to his fingers, moving more slowly as if to allow the young woman to see better what he was doing. The arcane weave glimmered in the air, the shimmering stitches Tethis had conjured dancing between his fingers like dragonflies among the lilies. "Like this." He made it look deceptively easy, perhaps allowing Vaeri a glimpse of what she could achieve.

"You can?" The arrogant mage teased Vaeri, his voice playful. "Then show me." The masters were expected to gauge each and every applicant that had passed the earlier tests. They were expected to see if the aspirant had the potential to study at the White Tower. Each and every seat had their own ways of achieving this, each master having his or her preferred way of making sure that the student was ready.

Tethis much preferred getting his hands on the young men and women assigned to him.

"Better." The young woman could hear the tall man murmuring, his lips almost touching her long ear. "Mayhaps you have what it takes." Allowing her a smidgen of hope, he slid his hands upwards, his fingertips pressing against her neck. He could feel how her heart thrummed, how nervous and excited she was. Closing his eyes, Tethis focused on her aura, the energies seeping from her body. Vaeri was hardly using her full potential, thin tendrils of the arcane leaking from her frame. He hoped that in time, she could learn to use her full potential. "Very good. Now focus on each stitch at a time. Isolate it from the others and make it match its neighbors." What Tethis asked of Vaeri had never been taught to her. Manipulating the weave once it has been woven was considered dangerous. After all, one misstep could cause the whole spell to collapse with catastrophic results.

With a simple spell she was working on, this was hardly a problem, however.

"Focus." he beckoned her, his deep and quiet voice dripping with passion. "Yes, good. Now maintain the weave. Let your power flow into it. Slowly." Tethis' hands slipped down from her throat, his fingers finding their way to her waist. Smirking, he tugged Vaeri closer, nestling the small woman against his broad chest. "Focus on your core, Vaeri." He whispered, allowing the young elven woman a moment to regain her senses. "Feel it." his long, slender fingers crept on Vaeri's belly, coming to a halt just below her navel. He reached for the minute focal point where both the mages and the the physician believed the flesh to connect with the arcane. Her nexus. "Your source. Reach for it, just like you have been taught to do." His fingertips pressed against the cloth of her sundress as if to help her to tap into the vibrant energies that ran through her body.

"Steady your breath, child." Tethis purred, expecting Vaeri to obey him. His fingers drew small circles on her belly as if to guide her. "Focus. Feel yourself." Even while kept touching her, his eyes focused on the weave she was channeling. "Careful. Keep your weave tidy. Don't let it come loose." A sense of urgency crept into his voice. "You can feel your nexus, can't you? Good. Now tell me how you feel. Here." His long, dexterous fingers pressed more firmly against her waist. "There's more here, isn't there." His voice was mellow and seductive. "Reach for it, child. Careful. Let it flow to your weave. Think is as if you were filling a tea cup so very slowly. Careful. Yes. Good."

 

[Passion]

Her focus was tested just by having him close. She had done her best to zone him out to focus on the mana weaved between her hands instead, but with each breath, each touch threatened to strip away her focus. No matter, this time she was determined to not let her nerves get to her. She had already embarrassed herself once, and she had no plans on doing it again. It had to be mind over matter, but she couldn't completely tune out the master. She needed to hear his guidance as well as his expectations to continue to attempt to impress him.

Taking his advice, she narrowed down her stitching to better stabilize it. Her weave was secure, but it did not have the touch of elegance that he showed her. While she was pretty good at it, she was mostly doing it by the book. She was hoping through her training she would develop a bit more of a personal style, but she had to be accepted first.

As she focused on the magic in her hand, there was an aura that took shape around her. For now, it was faint, just enough that the naked eye might see a glimmer or wisp or two of pastel purple around her. Her mana was rich, and did have a touch of a wild nature to it as she expressed earlier by relating her mana pool to a 'storm'. Well, it seemed to be the calm before the storm right now. Her energy relaxing and yet stimulating. Everyone held magic a bit differently, it was kinda of like a fingerprint, but there was also a personal nature to it. Compared to most, there was something vivid about Vaeri's mana that was rarely seen. The elf was blessed, but she didn't yet know how to use that blessing.

She took a sharp breath when he gave her an order as his hand slid down her slender throat. She continued to do her best to solely focus on her spell, and would start to pour more of her intense mana into her delicate weave. She paced herself this time; no need to be cocky.

The petite elf could feel him looming over her, not only physically, but the weight of his passive magic, his position, his experience... his existence. She felt so small, but she kept her back straight and would show him that one of her biggest strengths was her effort. She wasn't one to give up and would put 100% of her effort into her work. She would show him that she was worth putting time and attention into.

After all . . .
This was her passion; her purpose.
She had to convey it.
He had to see it. . .
. . . FEEL IT.​

The mana within her surged forward into an active stream. Her mana fortified the knitting on her spell, making it burn all the brighter, the magic in her hands coming to life under the weaver's control. The intensity of the growing magic weighed heavy in the room; the air reeked of her very essence. Giving him a personal taste of her primal mana that was flowing through her like life-blood.

Feeling so much activated mana around her and coursing through her gave the sensitive elf a bit of a high. It was pleasant and put her troubled mind into a bit of a lull. She welcomed the delicate blur, she allowed it to ease her nerves that threatened her chances of showing her worth as a mage and a noble-born elf.

His hand lowered to her core where the heart of her essence sat. He would be able to get an intimate sense of how her mana was rushing and stirring within her. That storm she spoke of clearly brewing; wild and yet tamed. He pushed his hand against her as if trying to push forward more of her mana, and she responded by doing exactly that. She poured more of her essence into her weave, allowing her to lock up the weave even tighter, stabilizing it.

Softly, she panted while she held together the spell that required her to balance its shape as well as its fuel. She had made a refined pattern that looked like strings of crossed and knotted mana. However, each thread was condensed with an impressive amount of mana. Despite this accomplishment, he expected more out of her.

His alluring voice told her to reach inside and show him something greater. It seemed like he wanted her to use a large amount of her mana on display and under her control, which could be difficult for many mages at various skill levels, especially so while under pressure. She wasn't feeling as confident, but she knew she had to be successful or... she would be unable to live with herself... - Grasping her freshly lit resolve, she would continue to bleed out mana for him to show him her worth.

Experiencing so much mana running through and around her continued to intoxicate the young elf. Her lips trembling, and she released soft feminine sounds between her heavy breaths. Usually, this would have gone unnoticed, but he was right there, against her. He would get the full experience of the woman's subtling trembling and the way she grew hot from all the activated magic. "I can... feel it... stirring... deep inside..." She took a hiked breath to try to ground herself. "...do you feel it?", she let out a breathy gasp when she felt her control almost slip from her which caused the mana within her to thrash. So... sensitive.

Now that a significant amount of her mana was visible outside of her, Vaeri had no choice but to maintain her spell and ensure that she strictly controlled the flow of her mana. She shut her eyes and did her best to zero in on the energy both inside and outside of herself while she remained in a meditative trance. She struggled and pushed herself all in an attempt to convince him that she was someone worth believing in.

 

[Koura]

The twisted Master of Hearts knew fully what he was doing to his prospective student. He could read the skeins of her emotions almost like an open book. Close as he held Vaeri, he could not only see, but also feel how tense he was. How nervous she was. How badly she wanted to impress him. In some ways the Vello scion was exactly like every other applicant that had come before her.

The young elf was proud as she was desperate. Powerful as she was inept. Energetic as she was clumsy. She was a flower of the elven nobility, ready for plucking.

Tethis could understand her turmoil well. He had been there himself, once, centuries ago. For a moment the old elf paused to wonder if Mistress Morwain had drunk just as deep of his emotions when she had tested him. She had pushed him so very hard. The old mage could still recall how his robes had been drenched with sweat by the time Morwain had told him he had passed. How tired he had been. Yet he had not slept a wink that night, his body thrumming with excitement.

Little by little he came fully aware of the aura that surrounded the girl, her presence slowly pushing into the back of his mind. He could almost taste her on the tip of his tongue. He imagined hints of grapes and vanilla along with a faint taste of ripe plums. She was utterly intoxicating.

There was much power in her, most of it beyond her reach for the time being. "Better." Tethis admitted, his eyes intent on the weave she was working, taking note of every stitch she willed into being. "Clumsy, but better." he added, knowing that his words would sting her. Having her nervous was simply not enough. He wanted to shake her very core and tear off the mask she wore.

“Good. Just like that.” He murmured into Vaeri’s ear as she poured more of herself into the weave. “Focus on what you feel. All of it.” Tethis allowed his fingers to slip down a little. “Anxiety. Fear. Desire.” One by one, his long, slender fingers pressed keenly into her thigh. “Don’t push your feelings away. Embrace them. Let them run through you. Use them” Tethis beckoned his prospective student, the young elf able to hear the passion in his voice. He was going to show her magic she could not have even imagined before. Raw and primal magic. Oldest of all the forms of the arcane. Magic that allowed one to feel alive like nothing else.

“Splendid.” Vaeri could hear him hissing as she managed to fortify the simple spell they were working on, Tethis audibly pleased with her efforts. “Good. More.” he commanded, well able to feel how she was straining herself. How she was slowly losing herself in the weave she wove. The small gasps escaping her lips were music to his ears and left him feeling warm inside. The young woman felt so alive, her small frame brimming with raw unadulterated power. Tasting her aura, Tethis felt a little giddy. It had been decades since he had last held someone of her talent.

“Yes. I can feel it.” he replied, his deep voice dripping with sheer hunger, his body reacting to hers in the most primal way possible. Tethis wanted more. Smirking, he slipped one of his hands between her legs, his fingers pressing against her sex. “Reach for it. Careful” Soft lips pressed against her ear. “Be so very careful.” He reached to tug up the hem of her skirts, Vaeri able to feel his urgency. It did not take long before his fingers pressed against the cloth of her panties, Tethis slowly tracing her nether lips.

“You were born for this, girl.” His thumb brushed against her clit as if to see how she would react to such a sudden touch. “Feel it. Breath it.” Her mana surged around her, most of it beyond her reach. “Feel your core. Focus.” His long, dexterous fingers pressed against her nub, his free arm reaching to cup her breast. Tethis sought out her nipple, pinching it softly. “Reach for it. All of it.” the master mage whispered even as he slowly and lovingly masturbated Vaeri, his eyes focused on the spell she was channeling. He did not need to look at the young elf to see how she was doing, her emotions lingering in the air like fine perfume.

“Careful. Think of yourself as a vessel that someone is filling.” His fingers moved a little faster now, his arousal evident in his voice. “Draw in everything you can. Everything you feel.” Tethis was fairly certain that she would understand. “Slowly. Feel it.” It mattered little whether he was talking about mana or the way he touched her. “When you can seize it, pour it into the weave. Show me how bright you can make it.” he urged her even as he kept thrumming her nub. Tethis was certain that she would remember this moment for the rest of her life. One did not channel such a vast amount of mana and strictly remain the same person. In the coming days, she would find herself craving for the magic she had been able to taste during her trials.

Even as the young girl worked her magic, his fingers never left her.

 

[Passion]

Clumsy... ​

Hearing such a word from a master had caused a ripple throughout her weave. At this moment, his opinion and acceptance meant everything to her. Here she was, trying her absolute best, and he still saw her work as clumsy. While Vaeri was skilled, of course, someone with Tethis' skill level would notice some of the quiet flaws of her spell, but Vaeri was quite a perfectionist. Hearing about flaws, mistakes, and overall lackluster luck pained her but also inspired her to try even harder.

She couldn't let him down, no matter what.

She hesitated when he suggested integrating more of her emotions into her spell, since she wasn't in any position to speak on how one should weave magic compared to a master. As someone who mostly went by the book, using such primal energy was one of her shortcomings—where she had room to learn and grow. She didn't much trust her emotions, as it risked her losing control of her spell, but she felt pressured. She couldn't simply ignore him; she had to attempt. Carefully, she started to accept at least the surface level of her emotions, the frontmost was anxiety due to the fact she was not only in his presence but was being tested. A test that meant the world to her. How could she face her family if she was rejected? The thought alone was enough to make her feel sick to her stomach.

While she wavered at the idea of adding too much emotion to her spell, Tethis would stir the pot and cause more of her emotions to boil over if she wanted to ignore them or not. All Vaeri could do at that moment was try to remain focused enough for her spell not to fall apart, as the mana she used to keep it fueled was altered in reflection of its caster's state. A state that he was shifting as his hand became bolder.

Her body trembled when his hand pressed against the core of her femininity. A hiked breath revealed her heightened sensitivity and surprise. She knew this probably had to do with testing her construction and to better see what her magic could do.

There were many methods and theories regarding how mana could intensify. A popular one was through battle. During times of passionate war, some of the best mages known throughout history came to light. Other than battle, there was fear, pleasure, desperation, love, hate, pain, lust, surprise, and even reported lapses in sanity that could trigger various personal shifts. It depended on the elf as well as the situation. There was a lot to explore.

He gave her words of encouragement right before he teased her hidden button. With how much mana was currently flowing through her and her growing storm of emotions, her attention to her body was amplified. She tensed up again, and her spell risked dissipating. She wanted to speak out, but even with the way he touched her, he distracted her. Her mind was unstable to structure a professional statement. The situation was quickly becoming difficult, however, a good test often wasn't an easy one.

With one of his hands tucked between her milky thighs, and the other on her bust, her rosy hue only turned brighter. As he teased one of her sensitive centers, he remained dangerously close to her, causing what felt like static to rush through her. Subconsciously, like a magnet, she leaned back against him for support rather than trying to lean away out of modest or simply her desire to focus. Her breathing increased in both speed and depth while he stimulated her physically. The elf was mature, but often she was too busy with her studies to focus on her carnal desires. It had been what felt like ages since the last brave enough man dared touch her in such a way.

She couldn't ignore him; he would find out if she continued to try to avoid her emotions. So, she would give it a shot. She considered herself a container that needed to be filled with more than just mana. She allowed all her worries and excitement to course through her, and the once soft purple spell in her hand started to glow neon. The energy turned wild and yet tame in her hold. Her eyes flashed open to witness the brightly glowing spell in front of her. The passive energy caused the fine hairs on the back of her neck to rise. It was... stunning, strong, and could serve as the perfect eye of a storm. However, holding such vivid energy had Vaeri trembling. She had never handled mana so... raw, stimulating, and bright. The spell felt unstable for the novice, but she was quickly learning that as long as she accepted her emotions rather than rejecting them, she could harness primal magic.

"It's... beautiful...." she whispered back at him, her voice dripping with awe. Her heart pounded so hard that she could feel each thump resonate through her body as she witnessed this new alternation of her mana. She had control over it, but it was thinning.

Her knees turned inward, thighs clamped down around his hand, and she hunched forward; a part of her wanted to flee to stabilize, but she wouldn't leave. A soft moan escaped her, which only made her face all the redder. Accepting her emotions made her spell all the stronger, but it also meant she had to... well.... deal with her emotions.

The heat he conjured within her had quickly turned her dark panties damp, and between his touch and the mana flowing through her, the heat was becoming too much. "Please, give me a moment to find my ground... I'm dizzy." She feared soon she would be improper as a mage and a woman if he continued to push in such a way. She felt lightheaded, not only from being touched by her idol but also from the fact that she had never handled this neon form of her magic before. It was overwhelming.

 

[Koura]

It was no coincidence that Tethis was known as the Master of Hearts. The old mage could not only read the coil of emotions as if they were scriptures carved in stone — he could also pluck the threads of the heart with consummate ease. Every word he whispered into Vaeri’s ear was carefully chosen to elicit a response in the young elven woman. He stoked her emotions slowly, feeding with firewood little by little. She had been a bundle of nerves when he had first walked in, her doubts and fears gnawing her insides. The flow of her mana had been disturbed, a predicament Tethis could well understand. There was a knot in Vaeri’s belly that made it hard for her to tap into her full potential. A knot he wished to undo.

The master mage knew there was no real way to banish the negative feelings that clung to her heart like a cancer. Given the situation, there wasn’t much that he could do to help her with her anxiety. Instead, Tethis chose to stoke her fears just as he stoke her pride, allowing the poor young applicant to feel everything at once. He wanted to overwhelm her, see how she could manage her feelings and her weave under duress.

The only way to test applicant’s mettle was to push them to their breaking point and past.

He could see that Vaeri did her utmost to follow his words despite the aspirant mage being engulfed in a maelstrom of emotions, tendrils of arcane power leaking from her core. In time she would learn to harness every last mote of primordial energy she could access. That process would take decades at least. “Very good.” Tethis purred into her ear as her spell began to glow. He could both see and feel that she was getting the hang of it, clumsy as she might have been. "Just like that."

“Excellent.” His voice was brimming with carnal hunger, his fingers dancing on Vaeri’s sensitive nub even as he praised her. There was nothing proper or appropriate in what the master mage was doing to the young applicant. The masters were expected to guide and nurture their students. Yet men like Tethis thrived in the White Tower. As long as one had the power, almost anything and everything could be forgiven. Whispers in the right ears could calm down even the most outrageous of rumors. The courtiers and diplomats working for the academy had even managed to hide the fact that the old mage had sired three children with his students during the centuries he had held his seat.

Now that Tethis had his hands on Vaeri, he had nothing but praise for her. “Just like that. Let it all pour into you.” He watched her energies from from her core to her fingertips and to the minute weave she maintained. The weave that was glowing more and more brightly every moment. “Good girl. Just like that. Feel it. Don’t rush it.” Tethis was not in a hurry either, not anymore. Pushing the cloth of her panties to the side, he reached to touch her directly, his fingertips stroking her nether lips. “Let it flow into you, Vaeri.” He whispered her name as if she belonged to him. “Breath. Let it all in.” The long, probing fingers slipped between her folds, Tethis slowly feeling the young woman out.

“Yes, just like that. A little bit more. You are a vessel.” Leaning against Tethis, Vaeri could feel something hard pressing against her lower back. The master mage had been hard for her for a good while now, his balls aching keenly. The way she reacted to his touch left him craving for release. Release that had to wait as he had more pressing matters at his hands. “Fill yourself to the brim.” One of his slender fingers pressed gently against her entrance, only to slowly push into her. “No. You are beautiful.” he purred into her ear, letting Vaeri know how she was the source of her magic. She needed to understand that the beauty resided within her.

He adored how she reacted to his touch, her small gasps leaving him aching to sink his cock into her. “Just like that.” Tethis murmured, leaning to suckle her ear, his finger slowly moving in and out of her pussy. “Let it drip into your weave, Vaeri. Little by little. Control it. Careful.” His free hand kept teasing her nipple. ”A moment?” the old mage asked, his fingers moving a little more slowly for a moment. “But you were doing so well; Vae.” He planted a kiss on her neck, his teeth brushing against her skin.”Just focus as I told you to. Let it all flow into you… mhmhm..” he groaned softly, knowing what sort of effect his voice would have on her. Tethis had already a nickname for his student.

“Let it all in..” Tethis murmured, pushing his finger deeper than before, turning his hand a little so that he could tease a particular spot within her walls. “Breath. Feel. Let it flow into your weave.” The master mage commanded Vaeri, slowly masturbating her even as she worked her magic. He wanted to show her a glimpse of what she could become, allowing her a safe way to explore with the primal magic. Even if the weave she had woven were to shatter, no harm would come to anyone. “Let it pool in you.” His lips found her neck once more, his kiss a little more passionate this time. “And let it all out.” His fingers never stopped moving as he worked to overwhelm her.

 

[Passion]

She tried to not overthink everything going on, even though in any other situation Vaeri would not stand such an intimate touch from a man she did not know. However, the last thing she wanted to do was to fall out of favor. She could figure out what to do later, but what concerned her most was he hadn't even warned her. Touching in her such a way was already taboo, but not even warning her of the method he would attempt made it all the more suspicious. Despite the hints of pleasure it brought, it surfaced even more anxiety.

As she did her best to focus strictly on the weave between her palms, he boldly pushed her panties to the side to find her well-groom and damp sex. Her body started to tremble, her face burned red in deep embarrassment from how abrupt this all was. It had to be a test, but it crossed several lines. If she spoke up, wouldn't she lose her chance? She continued to try to focus on her spell, caught frozen mentally and physically to not cause a bad impression. This might have been mortifying for the rather modest woman, but her desire to appeal to him was all the greater.

Taking his advice, she took a deep breath. However, her inhale was cut off by a whimper of surprise when he prodded at her delicate pink. Her lips parted to pant, and a storm of fear, lust, excitement, and nervousness gripped her. The way he said her name would melt into her memory, she could feel his authority weighing on her and the air around her. She had to follow his lead, as even her very instincts were telling her that.

He would push her further, a finger slipping into her tight depths. Her thighs trembled, and the elf leaned back against him more for support which made her realize he had his own bloomed desire growing in his pants. She felt like she was about to faint. Her nerves were becoming too much, and she was pushing herself hard to not break her focus on the spell. He had slowed down to give her some reassurance and guidance. She did her best to listen to him; allowing her emotions and the sensations she felt to roll through her instead of fighting against them. Her tension would melt some, and her delicate pink would become slick enough that the movement of his finger was audibly wet.

She found pleasure in letting go.​

Her sensitivity was high, every word, touch, and kiss heavily impacted Vaeri. She was caught softly panting, her mana within her building while the pleasure in her core stored. It was flustering, but she couldn't help but moan between her heavy breaths. There was something so pleasant about mixing magic and pleasure, although she would have never guessed in the million years she would be in this situation with one of her idols.

He would find a special spot within her as he teased her neck, and it would cause her knees to turn inward and her to hunch forward. Her spell flickered, threatening to collapse after he targeted her sweet spot. "S-sir...,!" She couldn't verbalize the chaos she was feeling. She was forced to be calm in the center of the storm to try to save face. She knew at this rate she was going to cum and break her focus. How embarrassing both would be!

She tried to keep herself under control by taking the restless energy and emotions that this whole situation had stirred up and applied it to her mana. Its neon energy then adds to the layering of her weave transforming it in layers and depths that the young elf had never been able to do herself. However, if he kept pushing her, he might force her over the edge as both a mage and a woman.

 

[Koura]

The old mage had never hesitated to use and abuse the prestige his position allowed to him. His reputation alone made him nigh irreproachable, his disciples often happy to offer themselves to the man they admired. In return, he made each and every girl feel special, arranging 'private lessons' to his favorites. Lessons that saw the young women offer their bodies to the master for advanced lessons. The centuries he had held the Green Seat had seen him abuse dozens of powerful young women. Affectionate as he was controlling, Tethis had learned to manipulate the girls largely as he pleased, making them all believe they were special. In some ways, he wasn’t even strictly deceitful.

All the students of the White Tower were destined for greatness.

---

The old mage had no intention of letting go of Vello scion now that he finally had his hands on her. She tasted sweet on his tongue even if he had yet to her to kiss her, her very essence having an intoxicating quality. Tethis was getting drunk on the young woman and the vitality that she emanated. He simply had to have her for himself.

"Yes." he purred, encouraging Vaeri to keep pouring her very self into the complex weave that flickered between her fingers. Watching his prospective struggle for a moment, Tethis paused to muse how those delicate fingers would feel on his chest or stroking his manhood. How eager she would be to please him. "Good girl." Tethis murmured, reaching to nibble her ear even as his finger moved in and out of her pussy. She was doing very well for someone so untrained. In Vaeri he had an unpolished diamond. A diamond he could shape to his liking.

“Focus. Just do what I tell you to.” He wanted her to be obedient and submissive, trusting that he knew what she needed. Tethis could not only feel but also hear how aroused the young woman was. His own hardness twitched against her lower back, his body reacting to hers. “Don’t worry.” he reassured her, second finger joining the first as he slowly stretched her insides even further. “Just focus on your core. You can feel it, can’t you?” the mage asked even as he kept fingering the young woman, feeding on her arousal. He could smell her scent, Tethis shivering with pleasure. “Seize it… and pour all of it into the weave. Show me what you can do.” She was his diamond.

“Steady…” Tethis murmured as Vaeri tried to close her legs, his fingertips still pressing against the particular spot within her sex. “Focus.” Adjusting the angle of his wrist, he pulled her even closer, the young woman able to feel his warmth against her back. His essence wrapped slowly around her, the scent of his perfume suddenly all the more intense. “Keep the weave steady.” The task she was given was near impossible, the master mage toying with her even as she tried to maintain her spell.

“Yes, just like that.” He could both see and feel how she was slowly, but surely managing to pour her emotions into her weave. “Excellent!” Tethis’ voice rang with unadulterated excitement. The old mage knew that Vaeri could feel his arousal just as he could feel hers. There was no way she could not feel the effect she had on him. “Keep your weave steady, careful.” Smirking, he leaned to kiss her neck time and time again, each kiss more hungry than the one before. “Lovely… you are so lovely.” His fingers moved faster now, Tethis shamelessly finger fucking Vaeri, his breath quickening along with hers. “Let it go. Let it all out for me.”

He could feel that she was on the edge and yet he did not stop, curious to see how the young woman would manage the intense energies her climax would release.