Chapter 83: Holy Sh*t, I'm a Crystal Fanatic

Chapter 83: Holy Sh*t, I'm a Crystal Fanatic

Tori couldnt sit still. She wanted to try all the crystals on the bracelet, though looking at them, she wasnt sure what to do with some of them. The carnelian and ice calcite she had worked with for over a year; she was quite used to working with them. The terracrystal shed been focused on for farming, so she felt comfortable with it.

There was a black stone, but it wasnt obsidian. It was dull, with little luster, and a few specks of gold. The other three crystals were amethyst, aquamarine, and greenish-blue crystal with specks of blood red; heliotrope, she remembered reading. Aside from using amethyst to send out a relaxing energy, she didnt know what else to do with it. She had yet to really experiment with heliotrope or aquamarine.

Since she and Instructor Ignatius were going to use aquamarine as the base crystal for irrigation, she had that flipped up against her wrist.

Instructor, Ill talk to you tomorrow before we leave, Tori told him as she slowly backed away from the tarp. She tried not to smile too much as she held the bracelet against her and played with the plates and the stones embedded in them.

Her instructor seemed to already know what the bracelet was and gave her a nod. Enjoy yourself, but remember that you are not your brother and will need to rest in between large charges. You can easily get crystal fatigue or shock!

Understood! Tori gave him a small salute before telling Master Ramos she was leaving and then running to the dock.

Mr. Vargova was in his boat with his son, playing a wooden board game, and lifted his head as she approached. My lady. He rose to his feet, prompting his son to do the same. Are you ready to return to the mainland?

Take me to NE12, she said. I want to try some things and there is still light out.

We have about an hour, my lady, Mr. Vargovas son told her. Will that be enough time?

It will! If its getting too dark, come and call for me. The island isn't that large. I just want to try the new crystals I was given. The two men nodded, and Tori climbed into the boat. She tried not to tap her feet or twitch impatiently as they paddled her out the way they entered, past the same two pillars, before setting sail for the small island.

It was still untouched, also being a phase X island, so Tori had to wait until they pushed the boat against the shore for her to climb out and then race around the island. She went to the other side, by the row of trees where she had a second swing set up. The trees hung over the water and not far from it was a decent sized sandbank that would allow her to get to the waters edge.

She looked over her shoulder to check for Mr. Vargova and his son. They were hidden from view by the center of the island, which was highest at its center. This assured her that in case her little experiment did not work out, no one would see her make a fool of herself.

Tori adjusted her bracelet and flipped up the panel with the aquamarine. She felt the cool crystal against her hand and the energy that was contained inside of it. Her heart was still racing, and she took a deep breath to try to calm herself.

Whenever she was working with a new crystal, she couldnt approach it with too much nervous energy. It would distract her and break her concentration. Master Ramos told her to always ease herself into it; start with a little energy and gradually increase.

Tori knelt down on the sandbank with the gentle current almost reaching her knees. Aquamarine helped control the energy in water, so she would try to move water. She closed her eyes and put her hand with the bracelet in the water, but was careful not to put her weight on it and press the crystal against the sand.

She closed her eyes and visualized the smoky energy she used with ice calcite and carnelian. Her goal was ripples across the water. She opened her eyes as she continued to push the energy out through the crystal.

Nothing was happening. There wasnt a single ripple coming from her hand, as shouldve been the case.

Not a problem, she told herself quietly. Lets try the liquid visualization. It worked for the terracrystal. Tori grounded herself once more and pushed out the energy as if it were water and opened her eyes. The clear water in front of her was moving away from her hand and she noticed the current from her palm also moving the sand beneath it.

She grit her teeth to keep from screaming with excitement. She then visualized the energy moving upwards to lift the water. A lump appeared on the surface, but it didnt go up any higher. Tori tried to force more energy through, and the lump grew, but it was like watching a fountain that didnt have enough pressure.

She drew her lips inward and bit them. She knew she shouldve slowly increased the energy output, but instead, she gathered what she could in her hand and then forced out a large amount.

The sudden pressure from beneath broke the smooth lump, exploding it into the air like a tiny geyser. Tori immediately leaned back to try to avoid it and fell back on her butt as water splashed on her face.

She opened her eyes and blinked. Okay, Tori, you brought that on yourself....

My lady, are you all right? She heard Mr. Vargova call from the other side of the island.

Im fine! Just a little water! She shouted back. She paused and grimaced. Dont come here!

She waited a moment and when she was sure the old man wouldnt come to check on her, she rolled back to her legs and stared at the water. Gas visualization didnt work. Liquid visualization was limited. She narrowed her eyes. What if she tried to envision the energy as a solid?

She didnt even know if that would work. She lowered her shoulders. If it didnt, no one would see her, and she could keep any humiliation to herself.

Tori closed her eyes and grounded herself once more. Both she and the aquamarine had energy and so she imagined her energy as a bowl. Or rather, a swirling mass of energy that made itself the shape of a bowl. She moved it through the water and focused on lifting it.

Her eyes opened and she saw the same lump she had seen earlier, but it was slowly coming out of the shore. She tried to focus and not let her excitement overwhelm her as she lifted a small fist sized amount of water higher and higher before it began to separate from the water on the sandbank.

The higher she lifted it, the more amazed she became. It was dripping a little, but still being taken from the lagoon, as if lifted by an invisible bowl.

Then the surface tension between the bottom of her experimental water ball and the water on the shore broke and it was as if the bowl shattered. The water dumped back into the lagoon and Toris jaw dropped.

She furrowed her brows and repeated the technique, but each time the ball was about to break away from the rest of the water, it dropped back.

The hell.... She sat back and stared at the water. Perhaps there were limitations of which she was not aware.

My lady! Mr. Vargova called back once more. We should return to shore now!

Tori took a deep breath and nodded. She had plenty of time to practice with her new bracelet. She didnt need to master everything at once.

Im coming! Tori pushed herself up and brushed the coarse sand off her pants. She trudged back over the island and tried not to look too disappointed as she reached the boat.

Still, the two men nodded. My lady, are you all right? young Mr. Vargova asked carefully.

Tori sat on the boat and nodded. Yes, Im just thinking about crystal techniques. She lapsed into silence the remainder of the way back to the dock and when she reached her friends at the encampment, her silence became worrying.

Im going to bring it up, Henrik said across from her, getting their small tables attention. Tori looked across from her and gave him a questioning glance. He met her eyes and frowned. Why are you so quiet? Is there a problem with construction?

Tori drew her head back and shook it. No, why would you think that?

Youre strangely quiet, Ewan said, giving her a concerned look.

Hes right, Tori. Usually, youre asking us about what we did today and then reporting any new construction decisions, Ilyana added.

Tori opened her mouth to respond, but Constantine spoke up as well.

And I do recall that you were supposed to do a crystal experiment with Instructor Ignatius this afternoon. He looked worried as well. Did it not work?

Albert lowered his fork and began to reassure her. Failure is acceptable, Tori. No one is perfect. You simply need to try a few more times.

Tori blinked. In her disappointment and frustration at her water experiment, shed completely forgotten about the outstanding success of the terracrystal experiment. A wide smile filled her face, and she shook her head.

Sorry, she said. I didnt mean to worry you all. The experiment was a success. Lady Idunn and the farmers approved of what we were able to do and the terracrystal device was easy for the farmers to learn. We did a few rows and then the two farmers completed the rest of that field.

Henrik sat up straight and gave her an incredulous look. By field you mean the one that had been cleared last week for planting some of the test crops? Tori nodded. He narrowed his eyes. How long did it take to till?

The corners of her lips curled up. Id say less than an hour.

I dont believe you, Henrik said. You took us to see that field. Its not a small field!

Tori chuckled and nodded. I know. In order to communicate clearly with Instructor Ignatius across the field, we used the comcry.

Less than an hour? Henrik looked down at his plate with wide eyes.

How did you do it? Constantine asked.

Tori couldnt help but feel a bit proud. Next time they till a field, Ill bring you along. Its easier to explain when you see it. She gasped. We may be able to do a small demo of the device in the spring.

The Bishop is coming. Constantine perked up and nodded. Im sure hell love to see it.... His voice trailed off. Were there any...how should I say this...prob-

There were no landslides or explosions of dirt. Tori gave him a deadpan look as relief filled his face.

Is the field really that large? Albert asked, looking at his friends.

Its a significant size. Youve seen the test island? Its larger than the test island, Henrik told him.

Albert was a city boy and didnt seem to understand what it meant for that size tract of land to be plowed in less than an hour, but still nodded approvingly.

It was very exciting. We were worried that it would take too long for the pieces to find each other and connect, but it was actually quite fast. Tori rolled up her sleeves and Ilyana glanced down. Her face lit up as she tapped Toris wrist.

Whered you get this? Did someone local make it? Ilyana was always interested in local goods.

Tori put her fork down and excitedly held her arm out so her friends could see. Its a gift from Master Ramos! The individual plates flip up like this.... She said as she fumbled with it. And the crystal, which is exposed on both sides of the plate, touches my hand. I can then use the crystal to focus energy. She pressed the ice calcite against her and the space above her hand began to grow colder.

Thats amazing! Ilyana gasped.

You can chill drinks with your hand. Ewan said, staring at her. His eyes crinkled up. I shouldve taken metacrystals.

The group laughed and Tori brought her arm back. I went to NE12 to try aquamarine. Lady Idunn asked us to try to think about something to ease irrigation or irrigation control. This crystal is aquamarine. She tapped the milky light blue-green crystal. I was trying to lift water from the sea, but I could only get it up so high before it fell.

What about some of the Sword Association members? Ewan asked. Master McDouglass has been helping me when he can, and the Captain and GG and a few others always help me.

Okay, you can invite up to twelve individuals from the Sword Association, Tori said. If - when - you get into La Garda next year, this will be your last year with us.

The realization seemed to strike Ewan and suddenly, his face fell. If I get into La Garda...I wont see you all the time anymore.

Henrik squinted. Youre just realizing this now-ow!

JP elbowed him and Sonia shot him a silencing glare. She looked back at Ewan and tried to placate him. Ewan, youd just be going to a different school. Your house is still near ours and youre still in the same city.

And La Garda isnt far away. Its closer than Lions Gate, Albert reminded him.

Sir Navarro also said that while you start your days earlier and end later you also only attend four out of five days a week, Tori told him. We can always see you when youre not in session.

And if you still want to come with us to Viclya on weekends, you are welcome to join us! Ilyana said, giving him a hopeful look. I bet all the kids there will want to see you.

Ewan took a deep breath and slowly nodded. I suppose it isnt too bad. It is just in another school.

Ewan, Tori said, calling his attention. He looked back at her. Just because you're going to La Garda doesnt mean you stop being our friend. Her face softened as she smiled. It only means that next year, youll have more people to invite.

Ewan sniffled and nodded. Thank you.

Group hug? Sonia offered. Ewan nodded.

Group hug. The other teenagers chuckled as they surrounded him and seemed to form a protective wall around him for a few moments. Tori stroked his back to calm him, then slid him a small stack of envelopes.

Invite whoever you want, she told him. These are for the people we havent already talked to, like your family. There are instructions on what to bring and what to expect.

Ewan looked down at the simple beige envelopes that had his initials on them. He smiled and nodded. Ill send one to Sir Navarro and a few of his friends who came to spar with me the other week. And some of the sword association members.

A few days later, Ewan had run around handing invitations to various members of the sword association, particularly upperclassmen who had helped him and were also familiar with his brother, the former captain.

Thanks for this, Ewan. GG lifted the card and gently tapped Ewans head. Ill be there.

Ewan grinned. Tori and Henrik planned it.

Then, thanks to you, too, Tori! the larger man yelled over the top of Ewans head, towards Tori who cut down across Master McDouglass chest with a waster.

Dont thank me! Im only providing money! Tori shouted back.

Itll be nice to have a good memory with us before we graduate and you head off to La Garda, Captain Messer said as she looked at Ewan and smiled.

I was kind of sad at first when I realized Id become separated from everyone, especially Henrik and the others, Ewan said as he rested his waster over his shoulder. But La Garda isnt far.

Same city and youll probably see them when you go home on weekends, Captain Messer said. I still see Captain Connor.

You live near-by, too. GG laughed. Youll be fine in La Garda, Ewan.

They heard a scoff before a cold voice spoke up. Hes not accepted yet. Dont get your hopes up.

Tori tilted her head back and stepped away from Master McDouglass. Hold, she said before lowering her sword. There is nothing wrong with thinking ahead with a goal in mind, Sir von Dorn.

She turned around to face him.

Fabian shrugged and continued to practice his footwork against a dummy, as if speaking to them was beneath him. Hes too arrogant if he thinks he can get in. He barely ranked when he entered Lyce and only started to take his training seriously. There have been many others who have been training all their lives!

Tori glanced over at Ewan and saw him look down as if defeated. Anger welled in her. Ewan was so happy just a few moments ago and now it looked as if his soul had been knocked out of him. Her eyes turned back to Fabian.

What the fuck is your problem, von Dorn? Her voice was cold and demeaning. Youve been goading Ewan since you arrived and are remarkably close to breaking our rules of conduct with your attitude. Whats your problem with him? Are you intimidated? She saw him freeze and she narrowed her gaze. Perhaps jealous?

Fabian whirled around to face her. He marched forward, bringing himself close to her while looming over her by at least half a head. His hot breath yelled into her face. Im not jealous of that halfwit Connor! What reason do I have to be? I could beat him in a single move, but he refuses to engage!

And for good reason, Captain Messers firm voice rang out. She moved an arm between them and pulled Tori away as Toris hand twitched at her side. Captain Messer shot a glare at Fabian. If there is an accident, both of you would not be able to take the La Garda exams in a few months!

Youre really begging for a fight, arent you? Tori asked, her eyes still fixed on Fabian even as Captain Messer held her arm out in front of her. Maybe I didn't break enough ribs to shut you up last year.

The entire practice grounds had gone silent. Even Master McDouglass was staring at Tori, dumbfounded.

Fabian sneered at her and shook her head. You want a rematch, Guevera?

Toris unblinking stare hadnt left his face. She nodded solemnly. Id love one right about now, yes.

Fabian scoffed and shook his head. Its a shame. Id love to, but circumstances prohibit me. He cocked his head at her and gave her a mocking smile. It seems someone tattled to her mother.

Tori bit her tongue to keep from saying at least I still have one. She took a deep breath and stepped back. She turned around and marched towards the changing room, only to come back out moments later with her comcry in hand.

She marched towards Fabian, and Captain Messer, seemingly worried shed try to kill Fabian without delay, held her back once more. Tori flipped open her comcry.

Call Axton du Nassaun.

Ewan rushed forward to try to calm her. Tori-

Axtons voice came out of the comcry. Hi, Tori-

I want to have a match with von Dorn. Can this be arranged? Tori asked without hesitation. There was a pause on the other side of the comcry.

What? Axton sounded confused. Why?

Personal vendetta.

She heard Axton let out a heavy sigh. Tori....

Are you asking for imperial permission so neither of you get in trouble? Piers was with Axton, apparently.

Tori nodded her head and took a deep breath, still fixing a cold stare at Fabian, who looked at her as if she were crazy. Yes.

With wasters, padded clothes, gloves, and helmets. No metal swords. Training equipment only.

Toris other hand twitched once more. Are we limited only to swords?

Does von Dorn agree to more than swords? Piers asked, sounding as if he were more curious than asking for verification.

Fabian narrowed his eyes. I am willing to grapple as well if Their Majesties and Their Highnesses allow, Your Highness.

Very well, Piers said. I will arrange for a formal match.

Were going to the delta next weekend. Axton began aloud. Why dont we aim for the week after-

This weekend will work. Tori cut him off.

I agree to the terms and the date, Fabian said.

Axton sighed once more. Then, we will let you know what Their Majesties say.

Thanks. Tori snapped her comcry closed and bore her eyes into Fabian. Ill see you this weekend.

Fabian lifted his chin. Yes.

The two remained standing firmly in front of each other, unmoving and without words. Captain Messer looked from one to the other before rolling her eyes.

Are you two going to walk away or continue to glare at each other?

Tori let out a humph and turned on her heel. Fabian gave her a sneer and stomped away in the other direction.

Ewan rushed to Tori. I thought you didnt want to fight him! I thought you said there wouldn't be a rematch.

The situation has changed, Tori said in a sharp voice. She paused and turned back around. Hey, von Dorn! Fabian turned around once more. Invite your Master to our match! she shouted as she narrowed her eyes. Im sure hell want to see how you improved.