The Accidental Archmage by Edmund Batara (read out loud books .TXT) 📕

needed to time it properly.

He was able to experiment with the blade ability for a little while as darkness was already upon the forest. He found that using five blades was the manageable maximum

for now though the five could be directed in a targeted manner. By the way the blades

damaged the rock, it would be enough to give an opponent wearing plate mail a golden

pass to Valhalla. Magically protected armor or barriers would be a concern though, he

didn’t have the material to test the blades with. He named the ability in the most

obvious manner: BLADES.

As night was upon him, he started practicing the light spell which of course he named

LIGHT. Again, he found it was a simple spell and easy to manifest. Of all abilities

practiced, the light spell was the fastest so far in terms of casting speed. As to the rest, practice, practice, practice, would have to be his mantra. That left the lifting spell. But considering the darkness, he decided that exercise with the lifting spell would have to

wait. He didn’t find any immediate use for it anyway. But he named it LIFT! Another

lame name, he thought to himself. At least it's not the Elder title for it - "Elevating Material Objects as An Area of Effect Ability or As a Precision Spell in a Limited Field."

As he cast the light spell in the form of an orb, its luminescence conspicuously

brightened up the glade so he had to tone down the illumination several notches. He

then noticed that Eira was already in the glade and had been watching him for some

time. When she noticed that he was looking at her, she stepped out from the shadow of

the tree she has been leaning against and walked towards him.

“You’ve got new abilities, I see.”

“Yes, but control is difficult. And from what I know, these are but basic spells.”

Eira was already near him and he could see the smile on her face. That's a change.

She's happy for me!

“Basic spells which would take a starting mage some years to learn. Yet, here you are,

starting to use them as if you already are a journeyman mage.”

“I’m not familiar with mage-ship rankings though I wish I had also learned a healing

spell.”

“Why a healing spell? Are you hurt? Are you wounded?”

The concern in Eira’s voice was palpable and stoked a warm sensation in Tyler’s chest.

“Oh, cuts and bruises only. Though I have no doubt learning the spell will greatly help

later. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future anyway. It would have been

nice to have it as part of my available spells.”

“Why didn’t you say you were hurt?” cried out Eira. She moved closer to him and placed her right hand on his forehead.

“Stay still.”

After some time, Eira looked at him, her hand still on his forehead.

“Too many cuts and bruises. You should have told me.”

Her tone was not a happy one so Tyler kept his mouth shut while Eira proceeded to

heal him. He could feel heat flowing from her hand into his entire body. It was not

uncomfortable. It was like taking a shower with the heater set on low. The process also

rejuvenated his tired muscles. He could feel the cuts and small wounds closing and the

affected areas becoming whole again. His bruises had disappeared.

“There. Done. I do hope you’ll tell me next time you are hurt.”

“Thanks, Eira. That was amazing. My body feels whole and even my tiredness is gone!

Would it be possible to learn the spell? That is, if you’re willing to teach me.”

Tyler could see that Eira was happy for some reason. He was not dense nor naïve

though he hoped it was because of him. He knew that considering their previous spats

such an expectation is a scary thought. He may be putting his head in the hangman’s

noose, with him buying the rope.

“Oh, it’s a simple spell. But for serious wounds and similar injuries, a more advanced

spell is needed. But it is also a great spell for removing exhaustion. Your new

capabilities do make it easy to learn. Here, let me.”

Eira again placed her hand on Tyler’s forehead. This time, the warm sensation was

centered only around her hand and the spot she touched. It was quick.

“There. You have the needed knowledge for the spell. But I sense that advanced

healing spells are beyond you for now. When we have the time, let’s see what you can

use from spells related to nature magic. Though your present status is really that of

a Hirdmadr. Your path is really not that of a mage of Adar. You have to forge your

own.”

“Thanks again, Eira. Lesson taken to heart. I do hope you don’t think I am taking

advantage of your abilities.”

“Oh, about that, we do have to talk but let’s have the night-meal first.”

The conjuring of food fascinated Tyler. It is an ability which he also wanted to get.

Pizza! Burger! Fries! Steak! And other culinary fast food masterpieces! He would have

loved a simple pizza. A pizza margherita would do. But as his cooking skills range from

nonexistent to dismal, the ability to cook such food from home evaded him. His only

chance was to get into an actual kitchen with a cook willing to try out what recipes he

could remember. Fries, for instance. He doubted it would be that difficult. Well, some

burned and tasteless examples may result at first but he didn’t doubt he would get the

taste right. Eventually. If he finds what he needs. He didn’t even know if potatoes

existed on Adar.

The food was typical Norse fare. But the stew was delicious. After drinking almost half

of the fruit wine, he was starting to mellow out. It was delicious apple wine. From the

Greeks, he learned. He was fast getting tired of mead, grog, and warm beer.

“Tyler, to put your mind at ease, know that I have no intentions of learning what

happened in the cave. Nor do I have any intentions of letting your secret out.”

“That’s good to know. I myself don’t even understand what happened.”

A little half-lie but better than lying that he didn’t learn anything. His display of new

abilities cannot