After a moment of hesitation, Shalise followed a few paces behind her. She kept silent as they walked. The ringing in her ears died down, at least.
Not wanting to further upset Sister Cross, Shalise tried to force her face into her usual smile. She could tell it wasn’t working even without a mirror.
Shalise pulled her wand out of its holder. It idly spun in her hands as she walked alongside the nun.
As they walked, she got an idea. It was wasteful to just meander along when she could be training.
Shalise practiced the motions and the mental exercises of creating lightning without channeling magic into her wand. Class hadn’t even started the actual bolt part of lightning bolts, but generating electricity seemed to be a fundamental skill for the other spells Professor Baxter had used.
It wasn’t hard to imagine what would be required for a bolt anyway. Thus far, almost all magic relied on picturing what you wanted to have happen as you channeled magic. For a bolt, she’d need to picture the electricity arcing somewhere.
At least that is what she did the few times she actually tried to make a bolt.
“What’s bothering you?”
Shalise looked up quickly, glad she didn’t bump into the now stopped nun.
Sister Cross had her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Shalise’s wand. “Are you unable to,” she paused as a small frown grew on her face, “to cast spells?”
In response, Shalise channeled magic into her wand. A bright spark hummed at the tip of her wand for a few seconds before vanishing.
“Good,” Sister Cross nodded with a small smile. She set a hand on Shalise’s shoulder again. “I was an air mage as well, before joining the order.”
“You’re not anymore?”
“Technically, I am. Many sisters still carry wands or other thaumaturgical foci with them, including myself. I was never very good at it though. I could still cast proper air magic if I needed to.”
“But you don’t.” Shalise smiled at the nun. “What do you use instead?” she asked as politely as she could.
Sister Cross looked up and down the empty hallway. “Secret. Can’t tell people who aren’t in the order. Not even you, Shal.”
Her smile slipped off again. “What if I want to join?”
Shalise crossed her arms as Sister Cross looked around the still empty hallway. There had been no changes in the last five seconds. Being a Saturday, there weren’t even students outside the window between the school and the dorms.
“You don’t want to join, Shal.” Her voice dropped to just above a whisper.
“Why not?” Shalise tapped her foot against the tile floor.
Sister Cross shook her head. “It just isn’t the kind of environment I’d want you growing up in. If you feel the same when you’re older, maybe then.”
“What are you worried about, Shal?”
“I’m just,” she sighed and slumped against a wall. “I’m feeling useless. All of my friends can apply their magic toward something useful.”
“First of all,” Sister Cross said. She held a finger up. “If you join the order, you won’t have those friends. Even if that might be desirable for one of them.”
Shalise shot her a glare.
Sister Cross ignored it and held up a second finger. “There is still training, time, and effort with the Elysium Order’s magic. Nothing in this world is free.”
“I know,” Shalise half shouted. She pulled off the wall and moved to the center of the hallway. She paced back and forth. “I know. It is just so frustrating.” She flicked her wand and got nothing more than the small spark. “What am I supposed to do if–”
Sister Cross reached out and wrapped her arms around Shalise. She pulled Shalise’s head into her chest and lightly patted her back.
“The Elysium Order will be here if something happens. I’ve been given clearance to stay for the time being because one of the necromancers escaped. Nothing will happen to you, I promise.”
They held together for minutes. Shalise enjoyed the comfort of the nun. Sister Cross didn’t say anything.
Eventually, Shalise pulled apart. A wet spot on the nun’s chest was left right where Shalise’s head rested. With the sleeve of her white uniform, Shalise wiped her eyes and face.
“Magic, all magic, takes time to learn. And practice.” Sister Cross gave Shalise’s shoulders a tight squeeze. “The Elysium Order magic might be different, it might be cheating a little, but it still requires time. Practice every day. At least for an hour, more if you can. Even when you don’t want to, even when you’ve got homework. You’ll get better.”
Shalise nodded and finished wiping off her face. “You didn’t–” She stopped, not sure if she wanted to know. Shalise clenched her fists and continued her question. “You didn’t let the necromancer escape so you could stay here, did you?”
