Shada was in the main room of the cottage discussing his latest experiments in, force free, matter Manipulation with Vanestra and Alexzandros. They had general looks of disbelief on their faces.

  “Shada, people don't just learn Skills from studying minor spells. I know you developed Psychokinesis that way, but I thought it was a fluke or some foreign knowledge from your past life. Please explain what you figured out about matter Manipulation. Then demonstrate please.” Vanestra instructed.

  “I was studying the text on Banishing magic like we discussed. I tend to think of Conjuring as pulling and Banishing just seemed like pushing. One pulls something from the Etheric Plane and the other pushes something into the Etheric Plane,” Shada explained.

  “That is one way to look at the process. Not that it is accurate, as push and pull imply force, and no kinetic energy is involved,” Alexzandros said while stroking his long white beard.

  “That was my thought as well! If kinetic energy wasn't involved what was? So I started to replicate what I had done to learn Psychokinesis. I took the Conjuring Spell: Pebble and figured out how to use it manually without the spell form,” Shada said excitedly.

  “You learned to Conjure stone manually, in a day, from a simple teaching spell?” Alexzandros asked in clear disbelief.

  “Essence Perception lets me essentially ‘watch’ how spells work. I just try to copy what the spell form does to the essence,” Shada explained.

  “I have the Essence Sight Skill. I can watch spells as well, but I can't replicate them manually from that. I can copy spell forms, but that is only part of what makes a spell work, as you know. How does your Essence Perception work exactly?” Vanestra asked.

  For Shada, lessons with his grandparents sometimes felt like interrogations, as they picked apart his responses. Shada did his best to describe how he experienced essence via his Skill, but his grandparents had trouble with the concept of essence having something as odd as a taste. It wasn't unheard of course, but it wasn't common. The real problem was there just weren't words in English, or any other languages he knew, to describe the experience properly.

  “Ok, enough of that. You can sense essence in a way we can't. That is pretty clear at this point. Let's move on shall we? So you used that Skill to figure out manual Conjuring…how did that turn into manual stone Manipulation? You weren't shown matter Manipulation or Shaping spells yet. So how?” Alexzandros asked.

  “Well it seemed a logical progression of the base principles. Something in the Conjuring spells was attracting a specific material from the Etheric Plane. So, my working theory was that the same thing should work on Physical Plane,” Shada said as he detailed his process.

  “So you copied the etheric resonance component from Conjuring spells?” Alexzandros asked curiously this time.

  “I think so, yes. It became clear, after a bit of testing, that Conjuring spells created a resonance in the essence that attracted a particular material. It seemed to work kind of like a magnet. So I copied the attractive resonance, but not the bridging effect. With some refinement I was able to make a Conjured pebble move without Conjuring force. At first it was just a vibration, but after that I started playing with it. I learned that not only could I move the pebbles, but I could also cause them to deform and break. Lots of odd things happened, but I knew I was on the right path when the Guide started to offer me Skills,” Shada said as he continued to elaborate.

  “You do realize you could have hurt yourself, if you had a body to harm, right?” Vanestra asked sternly.

  “I don't have a body though, so it was fine. The closet interior got a few scratches and dings, but the wards contained the minor explosions. They were tiny pebbles after all.” Shada defended his experiments.

  “So to be clear. You went from a basic teaching spell for stone Conjuring, to manual stone Conjuring, to stone Manipulation, and finally stone Shaping…In one day, in a closet in your mother's office, within less than six months of even learning that essence existed. Does that summarize things?” Alexzandros asked in exasperation.

  “Yes?” Shada said tentatively.

  His grandparents shared a look before turning back to Shada. “Show us,” they said simultaneously.

  Shada gave a mental shrug and did just that. It wasn't a smooth process. He wasn't an instant expert and each step took a couple of tries at least, but he did it. He manually Conjured an irregular pebble, made it move wobbly without force, and then split it into two uneven halves.

  Vanestra and Alexzandros stared at Shada’s roughly split little pebble silently. They shared another look between themselves.

  “Are you thinking what I am?” Vanestra asked Alexzandros.

  “Material Mastery?” Alexzandros responded.

  “Exactly, Shada listen. I assume the Guide offered you Skills related to stone that you didn't take, which is good, because with this you can learn a rare and coveted Skill. I have never heard of anyone learning it manually, but I think you can,” Vanestra told Shada.

  “I assume it is a generalized version of what I did with the pebble? How do I learn it?” Shada asked.

  “Do what you just did with as many materials as you can. The Guide should then offer you the component Skills. You might as well also aim for Material Conjuring and Material Banishment to go with Material Manipulation and Material Shaping. It should then form the higher tier Skills Material Control, Material Control, and finally form Material Mastery.” Vanestra explained.

  “Are there many Skill sets like that and what are Skill tiers?” Shada asked. “I haven’t heard of those before.”

  “There are many different Skill sets, like the ones leading to Material Mastery, but most get them from Classes or their Masters. A Stone Mage would eventually acquire Conjuring, Banishing, Manipulating, and Shaping Skills for stone, that would ultimately merge into Stone Mastery, at the advanced levels of their class. Once they reached the rank of Master in Stone Mastery they could teach it directly to their disciples. Material Mastery will never match the efficiency of a more specialized Skill or a specific spell, but there are those that would give their first born for for it. Anyhow, I think I need a strong drink after this conversation,” Alexzandros said.

  “Skill Tiers represent the complexity of a specific Skill. Tier 2 Skills are made by merging two Tier 1 Skills. In this case Material Manipulation and Material Shaping are the Tier 1 Skills that lead to the Tier 2 Skill Material Control. I will give you examples of the necessary spells for you to study Shada. I am astounded by the abilities you have been given, but be proud. Not just anyone could make use of them like you are,” Vanestra said, as the discussion ended.

  —

  “Come on Shada. I will show you a new place for you to study and practice,” Vanestra told him a few evenings later.

  Shada followed curiously as Vanestra went out the back door of the cottage. He floated just behind her left side and they passed through one of the gardens before coming across a vine and brush covered mound at the edge of the property.

  “This place has been used by my family for many centuries and generations,” Vanestra said while standing on enchanted paving stone near the mound. Shada could have sworn it wasn't there a moment before.

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  “My family has a strong tendency to produce casters of all sorts. So, long ago, an area was built for magic practice. It hasn't seen use in decades. Not since Shinobin was just learning, but it is still here. I had Shinobin give it a clean, just for you,” Vanestra said.

  “Ok, that sounds great, but where is it?” Shada asked. “I assume it isn't the paver you are standing on.”

  “Guide no!” Vanestra laughed. “Though, the paver helps open the door,” she continued.

  She then turned to the plant covered mound, took a dramatic pose and cast a spell Shada wasn't familiar with. Shada watched as the earth, stone, and plants shifted to reveal a large round door in the side of the mound. It reminded him of a hobbit hole door.

  “I always love doing that! I remember the first time my mother showed me the door. I was very young and was just stupefied by the display,” Vanestra said excitedly.

  “Wow, so was that an illusion, or enchantment, or a Manipulation spell?” Shada said. He couldn't really fit what he saw into his understanding of magic.

  “A bit of all of that and more, but come on, let's go inside. You won't have to bother with revealing and opening the door once the wards recognize you, but I still needed to enter without phasing through walls,” Vanestra said as she proceeded inside.

  “This is the study area. If you go down the stairs there, in the back, you will find a series of workrooms. They are pretty bare at the moment, but the wards are sound, I refreshed them myself. The little library here has also been updated with plenty of reference texts. So what do you think?” Vanestra asked Shada with a curious smile.

  “It's great! Like my own little wizard tower, albeit underground,” Shada said as he examined the shelves that were set against the cylindrical walls. There were books, various items, and what looked like some arcane tools available.

  Tables, chairs, and even a lectern, occupied the edges of the room. A small complex ritual circle was at the very center of the round room.

  Shada zipped down the stairs noting several doors as he went by. At the bottom was a ritual room complete with an embedded ritual circle. He was excited. It was in fact very much like a hidden underground wizard tower.

  “Why didn't you show me this sooner?” Shada asked when he got back to the ground floor where Vanestra was sitting in a chair.

  “You didn't need it, couldn't reach it, and it wasn’t necessary for the minor magics you were using, but if Material Mastery is your goal, you'll need the resources here. Let me introduce you to Raelis,” Vanestra said.

  She then said something in mixed Arcane and Celestial that sounded like: “Guardian Raelis, I summon thee once more to help guide the new generation.” Shada wasn't as familiar with the magic languages as he was with the more common local tongues.

  Shada felt something that made him shudder internally. Something was coming. It was old, powerful, and definitely not of the material world. He felt like running. A vague sense of fear filled him. He had yet to encounter other spirits, but he instinctively knew Vanestra had just summoned one.

  At first there was just a ball of spirit energy floating in the center of the room, but it shifted and grew. Where before there was an invisible spirit there was now a visible translucent goat man in what looked like a butler outfit.

  “Young madam, it has been so long since I have heard the Call. Has the family Aseralis grown?” The goat man, Raelis, spoke in a warm deep, but formal voice.

  “It has in fact grown. Let me introduce you to half of my great grandson,” Vanestra said humorously.

  “Half madam? I am afraid that I do not understand,” Raelis said with an arched eyebrow.

  “Yes, half. You see the spirit, yes? That is the half of my great grandson that goes by Shada. He is an old soul from another world sent by the Goddess to help fix the System. His much cuter, fleshier, self is just an infant. Shada can share details of his strange existence with you. However, I needed to introduce you as Shada will be using the Mound for magic practice moving forward,” Vanestra said to Raelis.

  “What a very peculiar being your grandson must be,” Raelis said as he circled and scrutinized Shada's little ball of spirit energy.

  “Madam, Is this some sort of Astral Projection Spell?” Raelis asked curiously.

  “I can speak for myself. It is actually two Skills, from some Divinely granted Traits, but can I ask…what are you?” Shada said suddenly via Spirit Speech.

  “I am Raelis, a guardian spirit, Contracted and bound to the Mound. I help guide and assist the children Aseralis in their magical studies,” Raelis said as if that explained everything.

  “I have so many questions. Though, I never seem to run out of them since coming to Sierrallas,” Shada said to no one in particular.

  “You will have plenty of time to get answers, Shada dear. There is another reason I brought you here. Raelis can teach you how to do more as a Spirit. In time you may even be able to construct a visible manifestation like Raelis here,” Vanestra said to Shada.

  “Indeed madam! I have never tried teaching someone how to be a spirit, but many of your ancestors practiced Astral Projection and learned such Skills from me.”

  “Where do I even start?” Shada asked.

  “I created a training plan just for you with Raelis in mind!” Vanestra said cheerily.

  The way Vanestra said ‘training plan’ was scary somehow, but Shada used Psychokinesis to pick up the folded paper she pulled from her robes.

  After reading the plan Shada had an odd sense of fatigue. He never actually got tired, but right then he somehow felt it. The plan was elaborate and grueling, but Shada saw the potential.

  “I see. Thank you Grandma Vanestra. I will try to get through this…plan,” Shada said to her.

  Shada, Raelis, and Vanestra continued talking about how best to reach Shada's goals. Eventually Vanestra left, leaving Shada to explain his situation to Raelis, who listened intently. Personally, Shada thought it was nice to talk to another spirit. Even one that looked like a goat man.

  “So, master Shada. Where would you like to begin? Based on this training plan, and the notes left by madam Vanestra; it looks like you are aiming to manually learn Material Mastery, which I must say seems overly ambitious for a newly Awakened. As far as I can tell you haven't even chosen a Path,” Raelis said as he looked over plans with Shada.

  “Truth be told, I barely know what Paths are. It will take me months to reach the level 10 threshold. As for Material Mastery, I have unique advantages from the Goddess,” Shada said, before explaining much of what he already told his family to Raelis.

  “You do realize that Essence Perception is a Trait that is only accessible to you while in Spirit form right?”.

  “What do you mean? As far as I know, once Luca is older, he will have access to everything I do in the Guide. This includes my Skills.”

  “Just because the Guide says you have a Skill, doesn't mean you can use it properly, or more importantly, safely. Essence Perception is not unheard of among Spirits, but a mortal brain couldn't handle the information overload. At best they would get sick and disoriented. At worst they could suffer brain damage,” Raelis explained.

  “Good to know. I could likely filter the input for him later, but let’s not get sidetracked,” Shada replied.

  “Yes, quite right, master Shada. It would appear you need to start with Conjuring and Banishing Material. Do note Material does include the intangibles like: light, heat, lightning, and so forth. Let me fetch the texts for you. The first workroom below us should work well for practice,” Raelis said as he plucked books from the shelves as if his hands were solid.

  “How are you doing that? Aren't you incorporeal?” Shada asked.

  “Conjuring and Manipulating force, to give the illusion I am using my hands. It takes practice. I will show you once you learn how to create a visible manifestation. If you would follow me, master Shada. I will show you the first workroom,” Raelis replied as he went downstairs with Shada trailing behind him.

  The first workroom was plain and the same size as the entry room above. Enchantments on the walls helped to contain accidents, there was a warded circle for practicing in, and the furniture was plain, but sturdy.

  “Here we are, master Shada. I recommend practicing all magics within the central wards, and avoid bringing anything inside the wards with you that you don't want damaged. There are Essence Crystals in the cabinets and a disposal basin, among other supplies. I will place these texts within easy reach.”

  Shada thanked Raelis and explored the room more. After familiarizing himself with his surroundings Shada went to work. He had spell examples for each step: Conjuring, Banishing, Manipulating, and Shaping. Was there an Essence Mastery Skill he wondered? Was there Essence Conjuring and Banishing? He didn't know and had never seen a reference to it.

  That first day he worked through what he already knew while taking notes. Some things were easier to Conjure than others. Some were cheaper as well. Even with his notes he couldn't figure why it was like that.

  “Raelis? Do you know what determines how expensive and difficult Conjuring Spells are?” Shada asked the attending spirit.

  “Of course, master Shada. It depends on the elemental abundance of the planet and your immediate environment. There are other variables like personal knowledge and complexity, but elemental abundance is the primary factor,” Raelis explained.

  “Could you give me examples?”

  “Of course, it is a common question, master Shada. The more abundant a material or element is, the cheaper it is to Conjure. The rarer the material the harder it becomes. It is easier to Conjure water near a river than in a desert. The calculations can be quite complex,“ Raelis explained.

  “So a thirsty mage in a desert would have an easier time Conjuring sand than water?” Shada asked.

  “Exactly so, master Shada. As for planetary rarity; things like wood, stone, bone, and iron are all common, but things like lead and gold are much rarer. It typically costs more essence, than gold is worth, to Conjure it for example,” Raelis said.

  “That makes sense, I guess. Thank you, Raelis,” Shada said as he returned to his Conjuring practice.

  Shada and Raelis spent many hours working on Conjuring and its subtitles. The two spirits got a long quiet well. Shada may not have been as comfortable if he had known Raelis 's origins.