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Htt-choo!
There was only so far vision could really go when assisting a mage in a high-level fight. It was said that at the very highest of levels, some mages could sense and react to spells being cast before their minds even properly understood what it was they were up against. Drastic changes in temperature from fire and ice, a prickle across the neck from lightning, the subtle vibrations of an earth spell.
This was especially true when fighting against wind or sound mages. Such things weren’t really visible, unless you were watching leaves and dust carried along by the wind quite closely, and that wasn’t always feasible. The best match against a wind or sound mage was always going to be another wind or sound mage. By sensing the air and vibrations around oneself, it was easy to tell when and how an enemy mage was disturbing them.
So really, struggling to see through blurry eyes and being tormented by a stuffy nose wasn’t hindering Tessia at all. This was just another opportunity to grow stronger, to catch up to all those around her.
Cynthia Goodsky didn’t seem to share that opinion, however. With a slight frown she tucked away her wand, the winds falling still by her side.
Tessia felt her heart sink, as she temped down on the urge to sniffle again. “Master, it was just a sneeze! It won’t distract me during our training session!”
“I’m aware, but it’d hardly do to fight you when you’re not at your best, my dear,” she responded. “You want to put up your very best fight against me, don’t you?”
“I can still do that!”
“Then here’s another lesson for you. Pick your battles,” Headmaster Cynthia said. “You still have several classes and a Student Council meeting today, haven’t you?”
“Yes, but that’s the case almost every da--”
“Then wouldn’t you much rather spend some time resting for the battles ahead?” she asked, and from her tone Tessia knew there would be no arguing with her Master now. There always came a time, too early in Tessia’s opinion, where Cynthia Goodsky would call for a break, then usher Tessia along to share some new snack or tea the woman had been gifted from some acquaintance or another.
Of course, that wasn’t to say Tessia didn’t enjoy these parts of their meetings, too. The refreshments were wonderful, the company moreso. And her Master always seemed so interested to hear about the goings-on in the school, often with an anecdote or piece of advice of her own to share.
And…alright, the hot beverage did unclog Tessia’s nose, somewhat. And she always did this, so it didn’t really feel like her Master was pitying her. Perhaps this would get her through the classes ahead.
---
A too-loud noise as she sniffled once again, and the dark-haired girl in front of Tessia turned back to face her, a deeply annoyed look upon her face.
‘Do you need to go to the nurse’s office?’ she mouthed.
Careful to keep on her stoic facade, Tessia shook her head. She wasn’t contagious, she’d checked. It was just allergies. And she really, really couldn’t fall behind in many of her classes--with her workload, she’d never catch up again if she fell behind. Arthur may have always been special, but he was hardly the only one taking advanced classes.
Xyrus Academy was, first and foremost, a school for training the next generation of talented young nobles and mages. But not all of its classes could cater exclusively to mana manipulation--the vast majority of its students being nobility meant it also had to spend some time catering to history and politics, and with the Council’s efforts at unification and reparation, they now had a vested interest in giving students a more fair and unbiased view of Dicathian history. If Tessia wanted to follow her parents, grandfather, and ancestors into ruling the elves, she couldn’t miss out--only Curtis and Kathyln had a similar expectation weighing down on their shoulders.
She sniffled again. The dark-haired girl’s hand shot up.
“Professor,” the girl said in a nasally voice. “President Eralith is distracting me.”
“Miss Eralith is usually a model student. She’s not talking in class, isn’t she?” the professor asked, seriously.
“No, but--”
“Miss Eralith, please make sure to focus on your work.”
“Of course, Professor,” Tessia said.
Right then. Breathe through her mouth for the rest of this class--and the ones following.