Zenaida
"Nyx, go ahead and choose an element to try first." I wonder if her elemental expression will still be Root. It would not be unusual if she felt drawn to a different element after all she has gone through. I wouldn't be surprised if she chooses to even use different casting methods than before.
With one hand holding the essence crystal in quick succession, Nyx conjured air, then fire, next earth, and finished with water. Each element only lasted long enough to be registered.
I and Matriarch Davina exchanged glances, looked down at the readings from Nyx's bracelets before looking back up at her. "Unusual for you to be able to conjure all four elements. You didn't hold them for long, but it was long enough to determine you have a good level of affinity for each element. This might be a side effect from your accident or a new aspect of your demon-born side unlocked because of the accident. I do not want to draw any conclusions yet. For now, we will leave you unclassified and train you in all expressions until only one remains." I spoke tentatively until I got a nod of agreement from Matriarch Davina.
Nyx appeared intrigued but did not argue about the unclassified label or that she would have to do more work than a typical witch since she will be cultivating all elemental expressions.
"Based on the readings, you are strongest in Root, but it is literally only by a slight margin. It appears you are still strongly aligned with the Matriarch's bloodline. I am making a note that unlike in your previous assessment, you are showing strong connection to Well, Flame, and Tempest expressions as well." I made the note and almost dropped the tablet when Matriarch Davina reached over to take the tablet out of my hands. When she returned it, I saw that this report would only be viewable internally by the Ajei family and Nyx's selected tutors.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Don't start conjuring conspiracy theories, Zen. Also don't let your dramatic mind run away with any trains of thought. Not everything is a conspiracy. "Moving on, let's test which casting methods best suit you." Nyx looked at us, and we looked back at her for a good minute before Nyx's ready expression shifted to confused amusement. "How exactly do I test casting methods?" I knocked on my head with a laugh before handing her a paper with the different casting methods on it that included suggested ways to demonstrate aptitude. With a nod of her head, she closed her eyes with obvious concentration.
It was another minute before Nyx lifted her hand and hummed. I observed her method usage via artifact glasses that showed how the humming melody called the essence in the stone to her other hand, where it transitioned from sparkling motes of light into soft, tiny sparks of lightning that crackled and arced between her fingers like quicksilver.
"Nice, very nice. Based on your surprised expression, can I assume you weren't expecting the air element to shift into lightning? It can do that if the affinity is strong enough and you don't really give it specific directions." I made notes, then checked off Resonance as a usable method. "Did you intentionally choose resonance or did you just wing it?"
Nyx shook her hand, dispersing the lightning, "I chose it. I've used humming before to do minor essence crafting with Lux, so I just tried what I've done before." With a nod, I made another note about her already having some proficiency in resonance.
"Look at you, already ahead of the lesson. Now I want you to try another method. Something that you would consider hard for you." Looks like even if her elemental affinity is diversified, her casting methods may not have changed. If there are no changes, Resonance will be her primary, and Inscription her secondary.
Nyx blinked, tilted her head, then wrote the sigil Ter'valis (earth) in the air. Her essence once more appeared above her hand like motes of light. Those motes then merged and transformed into a rare orchid. My breath hitched. While Inscription was her secondary method previously, she had not been capable of shaping her essence using Veilcraft in conjunction with it. The orchid looked real from here and probably even felt real because she based this illusion on a sigil.I had to sit down with blinking eyes and quiet breaths to process this phenomenon I was not prepared for. By habit alone, I wrote my notes and did not stop Nyx as she unknowingly broke my understanding of how essencecrafting worked for witches.
Nyx dismissed the orchid but then created what looked like a mirage in the air. She waved her hand through the mirage, and while her hand was inside the mirage, it disappeared. Veilcraft, proof that she can use that. She must not have realized that she used Veilcraft in conjunction with Inscription in her last demonstration.
The mirage faded away on its own. Nyx looked through for a moment before her eyes shifted to looking like stars were falling in them. She closed her eyes, then in a voice that was tinged with the essence of the astral and fate, "There is a high probability of Keir cooking hot dogs for dinner tonight. He will win a box of premium hot dogs in a bet with a friend within the next two hours." This is Astral and Fateweaving. She must have glimpsed an astral plane and saw something happening in the present and future. Nyx is sailing past unclassified straight into anomaly waters. There has never been a recorded anomaly like her, even among the unusual nature of demon-born.
What is even more unusual is that according to her previous assessment, she had zero aptitude in other methods. It is unheard of to go from zero to having high aptitude in an arcane method. This reading shows that Astral is most likely to be her primary method. Her essence flows the easiest during this demonstration, even with the addition of Fateweaving. Even at higher tiers, that isn't how essence crafting works. Well, at least not how I thought it worked before today. Apparently, Nyx is determined to prove me wrong.My heart was climbing into my throat. I am now extremely happy Matriarch Davina is here. I would not know how to handle these revelations.
Nyx laughed—a startled, delighted sound—as her scent warmly brightened bringing me out of my spiraling thoughts. "I didn't know it could feel like this. So this is what it feels like to essence craft without it feeling sluggish. I feel like I can do more than I've already tried. Let's see what else I can try…"
Woah, she has already shown an aptitude for five out of the seven arcane methods. If she shows aptitude for the other two, she will be a true witch anomaly. Though my gut is telling me that something else is going on here. I'm just not sure what or if I should even try to guess. I don't want to die if it's one of those if I find out I must die type of things. I glanced at Matriarch Davina to discern her thoughts, but she just watched Nyx with a thoughtful expression.
Okay, breathe and process Zen. Breathe and process. Treat this like any other experiment. This is a part of cultivating—deepening one's connection with your essence through structured ritual. Then my calm train of thought went off the rails. But I can't get around the very obvious fact that it is not natural for a witch to feel that connection with all the elements and potentially all arcane methods without any ritual! What is Nyx? Is she an evolved demon-born witch closer in nature to true demons?
After glancing at the reference list, she stood in the circle with her eyes closed; the essence crystal now tucked between her boobs. Just when I thought she had tried all the casting methods she had an aptitude for, her eyelids slid open, showing that her pupils had thinned into vertical slits, the irises a flickering red-gold. Her eyes looked draconic, especially with the way they caught the light, making them glow.
I nearly choked when I saw that she was beast-channeling draconic essence. Another method successfully displayed, leaving only Technology for her to attempt. If she proves aptitude for this one as well, I'll be recommending that she be monitored for any essence deviation or other negative side effects. We don't know what this anomalous behavior in her essencecrafting means since this has never happened before.
While I calmed down from my own reaction to Nyx's Savran beast-channeling I realized that Matriarch Davina had reacted as well. Unlike before she had leaned forward — fast, sharp, a fraction too intense for a casual reaction. I hadn't consciously noticed when she had moved but in hindsight I processed that she reacted now when she hadn't perceptibly reacted before.
Nyx on the other hand hadn't noticed anything. With her eyes now returning to their usual silver hue, she was intently scanning the room, as if she were searching for something in particular. Just when I was going to ask her what she was looking for, she went over to the projector and turned it off. A second later, I sensed it needed its essence crystal replaced before it burned out and damaged the projector itself. And now she has proven her aptitude in Technology.
With the assessment finished, Nyx sat down where she was in the circle, suddenly looking very exhausted. I handed her an energy drink wordlessly, then began pacing as my mind spun. This was not possible. Not even rumored to be possible. But Matriarch Davina…she seemed more surprised than shaken. I filed the observation away for later review.
With the test concluded, I steadied my voice. "Nyx… I need to warn you. You must not speak to anyone about your multi-element affinity or that you can use all seven of the arcane methods. Right now, I will be advising that we work under the assumption that because your soul and body are still in the process of aligning, you may be experiencing some unusual side effects and should be monitored for essence deviance or stagnation. Aspen and Matriarch Davina will make the final call on how your training will proceed. I'll upload my report to your drive so you can review it yourself."
Privately, just to myself, I will admit I am going to be upset if she ends up losing any of her affinities or aptitudes. I can't imagine how amazing it would be to work with her on projects and not need to involve a whole team of other people for the parts I'm not able to do myself.
I shook my head to bring myself out of my daydreaming. She was grinning while looking me up and down in a somewhat drunken manner. Ah, the post-essence-crafting high is hitting her. She did do a lot in a short amount of time. From what I know, she hasn't worked her essence system this hard since the accident. "You are so cool." Warmth blooms in my chest at her simple praise. She was stumbling to her feet now. The more she moved, the steadier she appeared. The energy drink must be kicking in.
To ease my giddiness and not just stand here watching Nyx stumble her way out of the circle, I glanced over at Matriarch Davina, asking faux-casually, "What other arcane methods do you use besides Inscription, Matriarch Davina?" She smiled— a mysterious, closed-lipped curve that said everything and nothing. Of course. She wouldn't tell me just because I asked. No one knows what other arcane methods the Ajei Matriarch can use, so why would she confide in me?
Since I could tell Nyx was exhausted to the point of needing a nap, I declared our lesson over for the day. Matriarch Davina must have seen what I saw because she told Nyx that she was canceling the rest of Nyx's lessons for the day and advised her to get some rest.
While Nyx was cleaning up the ritual area, I ended up cleaning the table with the Matriarch. Maneuvering myself closer and activating a sound barrier, I softly asked, "Matriarch, Nyx's assessment report is completely different from her previous report. This isn't typical, even if we take into account significant life change exceptions. Do you have any suspicions about how Nyx is capable of what we just witnessed?"
Looking at me out of the corner of her eye, she nodded slowly. I continued on with what I had to say before I chickened out. "I only did enough research to effectively do this test, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect her first assessment report was tampered with. Even if the impossible had happened and Nyx's soul went through significant changes, she would not have such a big difference in assessment. Previously, only having an affinity in Root but now an affinity for all the elements."
"Before the accident, Nyx only had compatibility in Inscription and Resonance but now she is able to use all seven with Astral being the method she is most inclined towards not Inscription or Resonance. This is an inconsistency that can't be ignored. We both know the Dillard Matriarch handled her assessment after Minette talked Nyx out of letting you do it. I think the matter needs to be investigated."
I knew I was possibly out of line pointing the finger at her future in-laws, but I refused to not speak up for Nyx. Never again.
Matriarch Davina finished cleaning the table, glanced at Nyx folding the array paper, before turning her focus on me. She gazed at me quietly for a minute before speaking. "This is one of my suspicions too. I will have this matter looked into and added to the list of grievances we have with the Dillard Enclave. You have always been loyal and discreet in your actions. I see you, Zenaida Salgrave. I am pleased to have you under my roof again and back in Nyx's life, so I will share this piece of information with you that you must not share until we make the announcement."
With hands clasped behind her back, she proved the Creators do listen to prayers. "Nyx has decided to break her engagement to Koba and cut off all personal relations with Minette. The engagement is still technically in place, but we will be sending the dissolution papers once the Matriarch is back in the region to begin the process of making everything official."
I bowed, grateful she shared this with me. She squeezed my shoulder before she went over, kissed Nyx's head, then departed from the room. The room instantly felt lighter with her heavy aura no longer present.
Nyx and I finished up, then headed out of the room ourselves. As we walked down the hallway and into the foyer, Nyx bumped her shoulder lightly against mine. "The lessons keep getting more and more fun. Thanks for creating such engaging lessons. I think even Nimra was impressed with how well you handled everything. Come over for dinner tomorrow. We haven't had a girl's night in two weeks."
A ridiculous rush of happiness filled me. I nodded my agreement, basking in the knowledge that maybe…just maybe this was really a new beginning for our friendship. "Yeah," I said softly. "I'd love to come over for a girl's night. There is nowhere else I'd rather be."