Chapter 82: A New Magic

POV Eliza

“Then let's talk in more detail about what we can offer you here. I'm sure Tamina would be willing to be your guide through our underground facility. Right, Tamina?” <Freyna>

“Yes, guide, yes!” <Tamina>

“Tamina, now relax. Why are you so stiff and yet so excited?” <Freyna>

“Yes, not so stiff, er. I don't know, master. I'm very nervous right now and my heart is pounding like crazy.” <Tamina>

Tamina, who had previously stood like a soldier during the vigil, slumped slightly. Her ears and tail also dropped and she visibly relaxed.

“So, interesting. Wouldn't you like to be Eliza's guide?” <Freyna>

“Um, yes, I would. I don't like the idea of someone else doing it at all. Why does that make me feel so uneasy, Master?” <Tamina>

“You'll find out, Tamina. That should be your task for the next week. Observe yourself and find out what the feeling is. Then share your observations with me.” <Freyna>

“Yes, master.” <Tamina>

Tamina looked very confused, but accepted her task immediately. Master Freyna obviously earned a great deal of trust and respect.

“With Tamina by your side, you will also get to know the others. If you like, you can stay here with us. We also have places to sleep down here. It's not very luxurious, but it's warm and dry.” <Freyna>

I thought about it for a moment and then agreed.

“That's very convenient for me. I don't know Lightburgh very well and have to learn my way around first." <Eliza>

“Then it's decided. Tamina, show her the free sleeping space in the room next to you later.” <Freyna>

Tamina nodded briefly. She was lost in thought.

“Among the things we can teach you. What do you have in mind?” <Freyna>

“First of all, I would like to thank you for your hospitality by helping you as much as I can.” <Eliza>

“Now you're offering us your help when we haven't even paid our dept for your previous help? What do you take us for?” <Freyna>

“Forgive me. I just wanted to be helpful. My best help would probably be combat training with daggers, various physical skills and anything to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.” <Eliza>

Master Freyna suddenly looked at me very intensely. I became uneasy at her sharp gaze.

“So, interesting. Do you realize what you just said?” <Freyna>

I thought feverishly about what my statement had just led to her changed behavior while beads of sweat ran down my face. Then it suddenly struck me and I widened my eyes.

“You've noticed, haven't you?” <Freyna>

“Yes, I'm sorry. Disguising my status has become so second nature to me. I didn't mean to offend you. Give me a moment to clear my status.” <Eliza>

I undid most of the changes to my status. The only things I didn't change were my race and the obscuring of the Regeneration, Self Transformation and Limit Break skills. I also removed most of my advan tages and all titles.

Master Freyna looked thoughtfully at my status and rested her chin in her hand. She kept tapping her fingertips against her cheek.

“Tamina, go prepare Eliza's camp. Come back afterwards.” <Freyna>

“Yes, master.” <Tamina>

Tamina was startled out of her thoughts and almost fled the room. Then Master Freyna looked at me again.

“You've already achieved a lot in your young years, Eliza. You would do well to disguise some of your status. Especially Concealment. I wonder how you came up with Concealment master and why you have it so high in the first place. You don't have to answer that question for me, everyone has their own secrets they don't want to tell anyone.” <Freyna>

“I got it through an innate advantage. I didn't choose it myself and I didn't increase it, but it's very useful.” <Eliza>

Concealment was very useful indeed. Without it, I couldn't get through a critical appraisal without attracting attention.

“There's another skill that piqued my interest. Where did you learn dark magic? Did you have a teacher for it? If so, where can I find him? He might have useful information for us, because you must know that dark magic is forbidden here in the Empire.” <Freyna>

“I have dark magic? Why?” <Eliza>

I was confused. I didn't know anything about dark magic. I had to check my status straight away and sure enough, hidden at the very end among the other magic skills was dark magic tier 0. Did I get the skill at some point in the darkness dungeon?

“You seem confused, child. What's wrong?” <Freyna>

“I actually have dark magic, but I don't know where it came from. The only thing I can think of is that I got it from a dungeon stele.” <Eliza>

“What stele gives dark magic? Don't tell me you were in the darkness dungeon? How did you get in there? Access is strictly controlled.” <Freyna>

“I hesitate to talk about why, but yes, it was the Dark Dungeon. I don't want to involve any of you in my problems.” <Eliza>

“That sounds very suspicious. Are you wanted? Then you'd better not go up to the city.” <Freyna>

“I'm not wanted, at least as far as I know. But I want to avoid any contact with the authorities, just to be on the safe side.” <Eliza>

“I understand. Then you shouldn't go into the inner part of the city, but the outer parts are safe. Now I understand why you want to remain undetected. Disguise and stealth are best for that. We can help you with that, and because I'm already very interested in you, I'll personally become your teacher.” <Freyna>

“Thank you very much, I will show my gratitude and help you as well.” <Eliza>

“I've already plans for you, Eliza, don't worry. But back to the dark magic. If you got it from a stele, you probably don't know any spells?” <Freyna>

“No, how could I? I didn't even know I could do it until just now.” <Eliza>

“Very strange. I'll look into it and research the old documents. I want to solve this mystery. Oh, finally something exciting.” <Freyna>

Master Freyna was suddenly much more excited than before. Her ears twitched rapidly. Apparently, she was one of those people who can't leave a mystery unsolved. We were still chatting about the situation in the city when Tamina returned. I was seen off by Master Freyna and handed over to Tamina.