SELF-SACRIFICING SCHEMER
“Fusillade Fallarica!!”
“Again!”
Aiz, Tiona, and Tione watched on as spell after spell flashed before their eyes. Lefiya was training with Riveria, forced to chant again and again, barely pausing for breath.
They were on the fifth floor of the Dungeon—a necessary precaution when practicing and evaluating magic. Using magic on the surface risked damaging the city, so mages often tested their skills down here. Lefiya was no exception and had occupied a cavern in the west end of the floor for her personal use.
“Ah…!”
“Lefiya!”
After excessive spellcasting, Lefiya fell to her knees. Aiz was about to step in and help when—
“Please stay where you are, Ms. Aiz!”
“!”
“I have to push myself harder…!”
Refusing Aiz’s help, Lefiya crawled to her feet and resumed her training.
According to Riveria, increasing a mage’s Mind—and thereby the number of spells they could cast without rest—was much like endurance training for an athlete. No pain, no gain. However, the high elf’s lessons were particularly harsh, pushing Lefiya’s chanting speed to the limit. As a result, Lefiya was unsteady on her feet, and looked ready to collapse at any moment, yet she didn’t yield. She kept pushing herself further and further. She wouldn’t stop until she had caught up to and surpassed her friends.
“Rea Laevateinn!!”
As Aiz watched in suspense, Lefiya’s Summon Burst unleashed Riveria’s most powerful fire spell. Countless blazing pillars erupted, and once they sputtered out, Lefiya finally collapsed.
“Mind Down,” noted Riveria. “Aiz, carry her to the Babel infirmary.”
“Okay.”
Aiz rushed over to Lefiya, lifting the girl’s slender body onto her back.
“…She looks happy,” remarked Tione, seeing the smile on the elf girl’s face.
“Do you think she overdid it so that Aiz would give her a piggyback ride?” suggested Tiona.
“I do think her will to improve is real,” said Riveria, “…but maybe there’s more to it than that…”
Lefiya was a crafty one—always pushing herself to the limit but never forgetting to reward herself, either.
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