The Riddle Of Magic

Chapter 44: Brushing of Barriers

Alastor slept the whole of the following day and, come Saturday, Charlie was able to rouse him, though he was still so weak he'd gone straight to bed, only vaguely acknowledging her presence at his side.

On Sunday he'd recovered enough to proceed with her lesson, though it was only a brief outline of some last minute changes to her instruction. He had changed his mind on having her carrying him straight off, pivoting toward her making a solo trip, and it made sense from his explanation.

Focus was essential for the energy of the Phase rune to flow properly, and their little tryst in the Umbral Sea was an example of how things could have gone wrong fast, at least without her having her own means to guide them back to the other world. She needed to conjure the route for herself and become used to navigating the energy of the dark on her own before facing the additional burden of bringing another person with her.

They began her study of the Phase rune as they had with the others. The verbal lecture continued into the next lesson as well, and by the third lesson her grimoire was teeming with almost as many notes as she had for the entirety of the Transfer rune.

Fortunately, they were no longer at a week between lessons, and had expanded her studies to Tuesdays and Fridays as well - giving a break between each session in order for her to rest and recover her strength.

Though that wasn't exactly needed at this point. Their lessons remained strictly theory and discussion, which was interesting - especially given the Radio Demon's exceptional oratory skills - but as each session ended, the princess was left with a mounting frustration and worry over how her studies were proceeding.

It was strange that he wasn't being straightforward with what was necessary in order to move to the next part of her studies, and the lack of feedback was slowly making the half-seraph more and more anxious.

She had practiced writing the rune in her grimoire, making certain it wasn't bent. Her lines were perfect, so there was no problem there.

She understood the principles behind the rune - at least, as much as she could with only a few lectures, and no experience crafting with the rune itself.

But her mentor still hadn't given the go-ahead for her to begin working with the rune directly, and actually traversing the Umbral Sea. She was ready to move into the next phase of their lessons, had been ready, and wasn't exactly sure how to communicate that without seeming rude.

Fortunately, her partner had a knack for seeing when she was holding onto a feeling. "I know you want to continue onwards, I would expect nothing less, my darling," the deer demon said from his seat beside her. "But this rune above all others requires delicacy and patience. After all, you are outlining your position within a universe! Even the slightest flaw could set you far off course."

"But I need to work with the rune in order to understand it!"

"And you will, my dear! But when I deem that it is safe for you to do so," the Radio Demon replied, sitting his grimoire onto the table.

Charlie closed her own grimoire with a sigh, sitting it on her lap. "Al, we're on the sixth lesson now. I've been writing it perfectly since the fourth lesson, and you still haven't had me even attempt to channel the rune." Her head dipped, as insecurity flared. "I can't help but think that you're never going to think I'm ready," she murmured.

Alastor's hand went to her chin, turning her to face him. "It's a matter of making you safe, my darling. The blowback from a miscast of this rune would not enable second chances. And... the preparations for your crafting aren't complete yet." His finger came up, lightly tapping her nose as his voice dropped. "It's not you who's not ready, it's me."