Iphislia's Training ( Main Story )

Iphislia suddenly woke up, gasping and panting heavily.

That's right.

She had a nightmare.

An absurdly realistic nightmare.

That was what she thought it was.

...

Miraak and Asa were cleaning the camp up.

After all, they knew there were people after them.

They needed to gain time.

"So? What was that talk about training?" Iphislia asked curiously.

After all, she never had proper training before.

Glaring at her, Miraak said smiling, "Looks like someone is eager to start?"

Iphislia just glared back at him and waited so he could just say it.

":.. Fine by me. You have talent... No, you're a genius in what we call 'Illegal Skills'." Miraak said smirking.

He knew how important to have someone like her in his future plans.

It was quite a good fortune to find her.

"... And luckily for you, I know some 'Techniques'... 'Illegal Techniques'." He said still smirking.

Seeing him letting, Iphislia followed him frowning.

...

In the middle of an open field, there were 2 people.

2 Children facing each other.

Miraak and Iphislia.

The gentle wind blew Miraak's black mage robe as he gazed at Iphislia like a nice grandpa.

And, as the wind blew Iphislia's beautiful pure black air, her face, deformed yet still slightly beautiful, distorted into a smile.

Taking out a bucket and filling it up with water, Miraak smirked and said, "Take it. And don't spill it."

Taking the bucket, she turned her eyes to Miraak.

Turning around, he continued, "No matter what."

As he finished speaking, Iphislia felt something coming extremely fast on the right side.

'... Dod-' As she was about to dodge, the object suddenly increased speed, impacting on her right side.

"... Ugh..." She groaned.

Not in pain.

But in frustration.

It was as if something slippery was in her hands.

She wanted to take a hold on it, but every time she tried, it was gone.

Turning around her head, she saw an ice pillar.

Not huge.

But not small.

Just big enough so Iphislia could evade.

Sighing, she was about to say something.

But another ice pillar appeared behind her.

Although she noticed it, she couldn't dodge it again.

Miraak was controlling his magic so perfectly that it was extraordinary.

She never saw someone do it so masterfully.

Even the Master Ayleids she met in the past were nothing in terms of control compared to him.

She knew what he was trying to do now.

He wanted to know if she could evade it while taking care not to spill the water in the bucket. Even if only one time.

Closing her eyes, Aphislia started to focus.

She tried to feel or hear everything.

As she was focusing, an ice pillar suddenly appeared beneath her, coming for her right leg.

Finally, she could dodge it.

That was what she thought.

The Ice Pillar suddenly followed her leg's movement.

Losing balance with the impact, she almost spilled the water.

Glaring at him, she was losing patience.

Taking a bored glance at her, Miraak said, "Who said it would just go straight forward?"

Gritting her teeth, Iphislia, closed her eyes, and focused again.

As she focused again, she felt it coming again.

'... From the top!?' She thought tensed.

Turning her around in a hurry to the sky, she saw an ice pillar.

But, it was... staying still?

'... Eh?...' She thought surprised but that didn't last long.

The surprise turned into confusion, as she felt another ice pillar already on her, punching her chin.

'... What? How!? When!?...' Iphislia thought more and more confused.

Seeing her like that, Miraak shook his head.

The problem wasn't her.

It was her 'Focus' state.

It was like a 2D map.

Since it was only in 2D, it didn't reveal two overlapping 'Dangers'.

Although it was good that she created it alone, it was still incomplete.

"... Who said that it was only one?" He said relaxed.

What he wanted to accomplish with this training, someone would ask.

He wanted to show her something very important.

That she needed to prepare herself for any unthinkable situation.

If she sees a cockroach, she should search for the nest.

If she sees a bandit, search for his companions.

He wanted to make her think more broadly.

It didn't matter if she was the strongest person in the world, she was still mortal, and mortals have weaknesses.

He wanted to make her search for the weaknesses.

Iphislia started to understand it as the training progressed.

At first, she was irritated. After all, she was taking punch after punch.

But, as the training progressed, she saw results.

She could dodge more and more rapidly as the number of Ice Pillar increased.

It was magical for her.

It was... new.

...

As Asa observed Iphislia's training, she was surprised.

To the 4000+ years old bastard, Miraak, to say someone is genius, it showed how much talent that person has.

What Asa saw was beautiful.

It was like a flower blooming.

Iphislia's talent was so great that it expanded more and more.

Seeing Miraak's training Iphislia so vigorously, Asa started to remember their past together as she closed her eyes.