The morning sun spilled over Vasili's rooftops, casting the city in hues of gold and amber. From the balcony of the Silverwing Inn, Abba leaned lazily against the railing, crimson eyes scanning the bustling streets below. Trisha followed close behind, chestnut hair catching the light, her fingers curling around the balcony ledge as she struggled to contain excitement.
"I've been thinking about my dream again last night," Trisha said softly, voice tinged with determination. "I want to be an Archmage, Abba. I want to travel the world, master every school of magic, and—"
"Slow down," Abba said with a teasing lilt, crimson eyes glinting. "You sound like a child reciting a story she's heard too many times. Archmage, world traveler, protector… you're ambitious, I'll give you that. But ambition without control is like a river that drowns everything in its path."
Trisha flushed, a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "I'm not a child! I know I'm weak now, but I… I want to get stronger. I want to learn, and I want you to help me."
Abba's smile widened, faintly amused. "Weak? Perhaps. Untrained? Certainly. But you have spirit, and that, Trisha, is rare." He paused, letting the weight of his gaze settle on her. "And yes—I intend to help you. But be warned… I don't hand out power for free."
Her heart quickened. "I'm ready to pay the price."
"Good," he said softly, leaning back against the balcony, letting his aura drift subtly over her. Shadows curled at his feet, coiling like ink in water, but not threatening. "Then today, we begin."
By mid-morning, Abba led Trisha to a secluded courtyard behind the inn. The ground was stone, etched with ancient mana circuits, faintly glowing from residual enchantments.
"You've learned basic spells, yes? Fire, minor telekinesis… and a few charms?" Abba asked, walking in slow, casual circles around her.
"Yes," Trisha replied, a mixture of pride and nervousness in her voice. "I've practiced every day since I was ten."
"Then you should know one thing," Abba said, stopping suddenly. "Control is everything. Mana is not just power—it is an extension of your body, your mind, and your intent. You cannot wield it blindly and expect the world to bend to you."
Trisha nodded, fingers twitching slightly as mana cores pulsed in her chest. "I understand. But… how do I learn to feel it completely?"
Abba's smile curled into something sharper, teasing. "Let me show you a method the vampire clan uses. One of the oldest techniques for controlling mana… called Flash Steps."
Abba demonstrated first, standing tall and relaxed. He spread a thin layer of mana evenly from his hips down to his toes. Shadows of energy curled around his legs as he moved fluidly across the courtyard, each step precise, light, and faster than the eye could follow. It was effortless, yet each motion radiated control and immense potential.
"Flash Steps," he explained, voice low but teasing, "is about spreading your mana evenly through your body. Start at the hips, let it flow down to the legs, then to your toes. Every muscle, every joint, every step guided by mana. If you can balance that, you can move faster than the eye sees, faster than your instincts can react."
Trisha's eyes widened, watching him glide silently over the stones. "I… I've never seen anyone move like that," she whispered.
Abba leaned closer, voice low and teasing. "That's because most mortals only know how to cast spells and scream loudly. Balance, Trisha. Flow. Let mana be part of you. Now… try."
Trisha closed her eyes, spreading her focus inward. She imagined the flow of mana from her core to her legs, whispering it silently as she did. Her knees bent, toes pressed lightly against the stone. She moved… and stumbled. A small wisp of fire danced at her fingertips, flickering out.
"Not bad," Abba said lazily, leaning against a pillar, shadows wrapping around him. "You moved, and mana followed. But you're uneven. Too much in your feet, not enough in your legs. Too much tension in your hips. You must feel it… let it flow naturally."
Trisha frowned, trembling slightly, but nodded. "I'll try again."
She inhaled, centering herself. This time, she let the mana circulate from her hips evenly to her legs, each step synchronized with a mental pulse. Shadows of her own aura flickered around her feet. She stepped forward… and glided a little smoother, faster than before, though the movement was far from perfect.
Abba's crimson eyes sparkled with faint amusement. "Better. Much better. But remember… the more natural it feels, the more energy you conserve. Flash Steps is not about brute force—it is about control, and grace. Flow like water, strike like lightning."
Trisha's cheeks burned. "It's… so hard. My body doesn't obey yet."
"Of course it's hard," Abba said softly, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. "If it were easy, everyone would be powerful. You're learning to move with mana, not just wield it as a weapon. Once you master this… you'll be able to move faster than almost anyone, and even your spells will feel lighter, sharper, and more precise."
Hours passed. Trisha stumbled, corrected, and stumbled again. Each failure was met with a teasing comment from Abba, each small success with faint praise, his crimson eyes glittering with amusement.
"See? Your stance is weak here," he said, pushing her gently. "Balance, Trisha. Flow. Mana is your ally, not a leash."
"I feel like I'm going to collapse," she admitted, laughing despite exhaustion.
"Then collapse beautifully," Abba murmured, his voice low, almost dangerously soft. "Fall, rise, and let the world watch. That's how power grows."
Trisha blushed, trying not to look at him. Every time he laughed, leaned closer, or flicked a hand toward her with casual precision, her heart fluttered like wings in a storm.
By sunset, her movement had improved considerably. She could step lightly, spread mana evenly through her legs, and even create small afterimages when moving short distances. It was not perfection—but it was progress, and Abba's pride, though rarely shown openly, was unmistakable.
The sky above Vasili was streaked with crimson and gold. Trisha collapsed onto a bench in the courtyard, exhausted but exhilarated. Her dreams of becoming an Archmage seemed less distant, the impossible suddenly within reach.
"You did well," Abba said, standing nearby, shadows curling around his form like ink. "Few mages grasp Flash Steps on their first day. You… have promise."
Trisha looked at him, her voice barely a whisper. "Promise… is not enough. I want to be strong. I want to see the world. I want—"
"Then you will," he interrupted softly, crimson eyes glimmering. "I will guide you, Trisha. And in time, no one, mortal or mage, will underestimate you again."
A warm breeze brushed her hair, and the faint teasing curl of his lips made her heart skip. For the first time, Trisha felt the weight of her ambition balanced with the certainty of someone who would help her achieve it.
"And tomorrow?" she asked.
Abba tilted his head, voice teasing yet certain. "Tomorrow… we refine. We move faster, strike harder, and push limits. The world is vast, Trisha. You have only glimpsed its edges."
Her pulse quickened. "I… I won't fail."
"You may stumble," Abba said softly. "But I will be here to catch you—or laugh when you fall."
And under the fading glow of Vasili's sunset, the first steps of Trisha's journey began, guided by the crimson-eyed vampire who walked the line between mentor, guardian, and something far more unpredictable.
The morning after their first lesson, the courtyard was quiet, bathed in the soft light of dawn. The city of Vasili had not yet fully stirred, and the streets below were only beginning to hum with life.
Trisha stood at the center of the courtyard, still trembling from the previous day's exertion. Her muscles ached, and yet the memory of Abba's gaze—the teasing curl of his lips, the glint of his crimson eyes—kept her rooted in determination.
"You're late," Abba said lightly, leaning against a pillar, shadows flickering around him like smoke in sunlight. "Or… maybe I just enjoy watching you struggle with your own ambitions before I teach you anything new."
Trisha's cheeks burned. "I… I wanted to practice before you arrived."
"Good," he murmured, voice teasing, as he stepped forward. "Practice without an audience is fine, but learning in motion… that is where the real test begins. Flash Steps is not just about standing and moving mana evenly. It is about controlling your body while your surroundings change. Balance, agility, instinct."
He raised a hand lazily, and a small mana construct shaped like a wolf appeared at the far end of the courtyard. Its eyes glowed faintly, reflecting the morning light. "Your first opponent," he said lightly. "Not here to hurt you, but to force your focus."
Trisha swallowed, nodding. "I'm ready."
She concentrated, spreading mana evenly from her hips down to her legs, focusing on the flow that Abba had emphasized yesterday. Her body moved, feet barely touching the stone, as she attempted to glide toward the wolf construct.
Abba observed casually, a faint smile teasing at his lips. "Good. But watch… your upper body tenses too much. Let mana guide your balance. Flow through, not against. Step again."
Trisha took a deep breath, and this time, as she moved forward, she allowed her mana to circulate smoothly from her core to her toes. Each step was lighter, faster, and more precise. She reached the construct, releasing a small burst of controlled fire. The wolf faltered, shimmering and dissipating with a small pop.
"Better," Abba said, voice smooth, almost lazy. "Your steps are faster. You're beginning to merge body and mana as one. But this is only the beginning. Now… we add unpredictability."
From his hands, two more constructs appeared—one shaped like a hawk, the other a fox. They moved in erratic patterns, forcing Trisha to adjust her balance, her mana distribution, and her response speed.
Her heart raced, sweat clinging to her temples. Each step was precise, but each shift in direction tested her control. She stumbled once, caught herself, and continued.
Abba watched, arms crossed lazily, yet his crimson eyes followed every motion. "Not bad. You're learning to let mana guide your instincts rather than forcing your mind to direct it. That… is progress."
Trisha paused, breathing hard. "I… I feel it differently. Like I'm… lighter, but more… aware. Like I can predict where I should be before I move."
"That is the essence of Flash Steps," Abba said softly. "It is not speed alone. It is anticipation. Harmony. Flowing with the world instead of pushing against it."
"Now," Abba continued, stepping closer, "I will teach you a small refinement, one borrowed from the vampire clan."
Trisha's eyes widened. "Another technique?"
He smiled faintly, crimson eyes glinting. "Yes. Balance is not enough. You must also learn to conserve energy while moving. Vampires have walked centuries, and every step must be efficient. Your Flash Steps must leave you capable of instant reaction, even after long travel or battle. Focus your mana into your lower body, hips and legs, and allow it to recoil like a spring. Let your body remember the movement, let your feet kiss the ground lightly, and you will move faster, longer, stronger."
Trisha mirrored his posture, concentrating. Shadows flickered at her feet, responding to her mana flow. With each step, she felt a subtle change—an almost weightless sensation, like dancing on air while her core remained grounded.
Abba's voice was low, teasing: "Not bad. But your focus drifts to your arms. Hands can follow, but the body—always the body first. Mana follows instinct, not thought."
She gritted her teeth, forcing her mind to empty, letting the flow guide her. With each attempt, her speed increased, her movements smoother, her fire bursts sharper.
"Enough basics," Abba said finally, eyes glinting. "Time for the real test."
He waved a hand, and the courtyard transformed. Mana constructs erupted from the walls, floor, and sky—wolves, hawks, foxes, and abstract shapes swirling unpredictably. Trisha's breath caught. "I… I can't—"
"You can," Abba interrupted, voice teasing but firm. "Trust your body. Trust your mana. Flow with it. Flash Steps is not only for evasion; it is for movement, attack, and survival. Use everything you've learned. I will guide… lightly."
Trisha nodded, heart pounding. She focused, spreading mana evenly from her hips to toes, letting her legs carry her like spring-loaded coils. She dodged constructs, repositioned, and fired controlled bursts of fire at targets, weaving through chaos with a rhythm she had never felt before.
Abba moved nearby, his presence like a calm tide among the storm of her actions. His teasing voice drifted: "Too fast for the eyes, but not for the senses. Good… slower here… faster there… yes, flow."
By the end, she had learned to weave through the constructs without losing focus, landing her attacks with precision while moving continuously. Her body ached, yet a radiant glow of accomplishment lit her features.
"You're improving," Abba said casually, yet the rare edge of pride in his tone did not escape her. "By the next session, you'll be faster than any of these trivial constructs. Perhaps even faster than some mages in this city."
Trisha's eyes sparkled. "I… really did it?"
"You did," he confirmed. "And this is only the beginning. Tomorrow, we push further. You'll learn to strike, to vanish, to move unseen… and your magic will follow every step. But for now, rest. Even the strongest must pause."
As the sun dipped behind Vasili's towers, Trisha collapsed onto a bench, exhausted but exhilarated. Her legs tingled with fatigue, yet the rush of newfound control coursed through her veins.
Abba leaned against the courtyard wall, watching her with that faint, teasing smile. "You are learning quickly," he murmured, crimson eyes glowing faintly. "Do not mistake speed for mastery… but do not underestimate yourself either."
Trisha glanced up, shy but bold. "Abba… thank you. For everything. I… I feel like I can really reach my dream now."
He crouched slightly, close enough that her pulse fluttered. "You will. And remember… dreams are fragile until molded by action. You may stumble, falter, or even fear… but I will be here to correct, guide, and, yes… occasionally tease."
She laughed softly. "I think I like that part too much."
"Good," he said softly, crimson eyes catching the glow of the lanterns. "Ambition is serious… but life should be… entertaining."
The shadows around him curled lazily in the courtyard, subtle and elegant, echoing the promise of power, growth, and the quiet tension between mentor and student—a tension that would grow as their journey through Vasili and the wider world began
The next morning, Vasili awoke to the quiet hum of its mana-infused streets, the distant clang of smiths, and the calls of merchants setting up stalls. Trisha stood at the edge of the inn's courtyard, her body humming with anticipation. Yesterday's Flash Steps training had left her exhausted but exhilarated. Today, she wanted to test what she had learned—not against constructs, but in real life.
Abba, lounging casually against a pillar, watched her with that faint, teasing smile he always wore. "You look nervous," he observed. "Or are you pretending? That, too, is a useful skill."
"I'm not nervous," Trisha said quickly, cheeks warming. "I just… want to see if I can really do this outside the courtyard."
"Excellent," Abba murmured, stepping forward. Shadows swirled faintly at his feet, brushing across the cobblestones without disturbing them. "Then we'll start simple. I want you to weave through the city streets, avoid obstacles, and move with flow. Remember: hips to toes, even mana, anticipation."
Trisha nodded, taking a deep breath. She focused, letting the mana from her core spread evenly down her legs, centering herself. She stepped forward—and the world seemed to slow. Footfalls were silent. Air hummed faintly around her as she practiced Flash Steps, moving through the streets like a shadow in sunlight.
A young boy darted across her path, chasing a rolling ball. Trisha froze for a fraction of a second—but Abba's voice, calm yet teasing, cut through her hesitation.
"Predict. Anticipate. Flow around him, not over him. Your mana will adjust."
She adjusted mid-step, sidestepping gracefully, barely touching the ground. The boy spun, completely unaware of how close he had come to collision. Trisha exhaled, exhilarated. "It… worked!"
Abba's crimson eyes glinted. "Yes. And soon, you will move so fluidly that no one—mage, mortal, or creature—will ever predict your steps. That is the essence of Flash Steps."
As they moved deeper into the city, Trisha dodged merchants' carts, jumped lightly over crates, and even ducked under hanging lanterns. Each motion was precise, each step guided by mana. Abba followed, leaning lightly on his cane—not because he needed it, but because he enjoyed watching her grow.
They passed the noble district, where aristocrats strolled, showing off finery and titles. A group of young mages sneered, attempting to impress one another with minor spells. When one flicked a lightning shard in her direction—perhaps to test her skill—Trisha instinctively released a pulse of even mana through her legs, moving just out of reach.
Abba's shadow drifted lazily behind her, faintly elongating, and the lightning fizzled as though repelled by an unseen barrier. The mages froze, eyes wide, murmuring about the strange aura surrounding the young vampire lord and his companion.
"Don't stop to explain yourself," Abba whispered, voice teasing but commanding. "Move. Flow. Predict."
Trisha obeyed, adrenaline and mana coursing through her veins. Each step, each adjustment, felt like a victory—not just against the constructs of yesterday, but against the unpredictable chaos of the real world.
After a morning of weaving through streets and dodging small obstacles, Trisha finally slowed at the banks of Vasili's main canal. Water glimmered under the mid-morning sun, reflecting the towers above. She sank to her knees, panting but glowing faintly with residual mana.
"You… you've changed already," Abba said softly, walking to her side. His presence, calm yet undeniably dominant, made her pulse quicken. "Not just in skill… but in confidence. Do you feel it?"
Trisha nodded. "I… I can feel the flow now. Even when something unexpected happens, I know where to step next."
"That is control," Abba murmured, voice smooth, eyes glinting. "And control… is the first step toward true power."
She glanced at him, suddenly aware of how close he was. Her heart skipped. "Abba… you really think I can become an Archmage?"
"Not think," he corrected lightly, crimson eyes flashing with amusement. "I know. And I will help you get there—though I'll continue to tease you every step of the way. Motivation comes in many forms."
Trisha laughed softly, a mixture of exhaustion and delight. "I… I think I like that part."
Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby. A small group of bandits attempted to harass a street merchant, their crude spells crackling dangerously. Trisha's pulse jumped, but Abba's smile was calm, almost lazy.
"Watch closely," he murmured, stepping forward. His presence alone seemed to ripple through the air. Shadows pooled at his feet, subtly curling and stretching. The bandits froze mid-step, fear apparent even in their defiance.
Abba extended a hand, a faint flick of mana sweeping them aside like wind. They stumbled backward, no wounds inflicted, yet utterly dominated by the aura he exuded. "Now," he said, turning to Trisha with a grin, "your turn. Apply everything you've learned. Flash Steps. Mana flow. Control."
Trisha nodded, feeling a surge of determination. She focused, spreading mana evenly from her hips to toes, and dashed forward. Each step was precise, each movement controlled. Bandits stumbled, spells misfired, and she found herself laughing as her training became a dance of power and flow.
Abba watched, amused and approving. "Good. That… was beautiful."
As evening fell, the city of Vasili was bathed in orange and purple hues. Trisha collapsed on a quiet terrace overlooking the canal, her body exhausted but buzzing with achievement. Abba leaned on the railing above, crimson eyes reflecting the fading sun.
"You've grown today," he said softly, voice teasing but filled with rare sincerity. "Not just in skill, but in understanding yourself. That… is far more valuable than any spell or core you may gain."
Trisha smiled, shyly meeting his gaze. "I… I couldn't have done it without you."
Abba's lips curled faintly. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you are simply discovering what I've always known: you have the spark to command the world. And maybe," he added with a teasing glint, "you've even discovered a bit about yourselves too."
She blushed, the subtle warmth of his words stirring something unspoken between them. "I… hope I can continue to learn from you."
"You will," he said smoothly. "And remember… the world is vast, full of challenges, surprises, and opportunities. We've only begun, Trisha. Tomorrow, we push further. New techniques, new challenges… perhaps even new feelings."
Trisha's pulse quickened at the last words, but she smiled, heart swelling with determination and a quiet excitement. With Abba by her side, the impossible no longer seemed so far away.
And thus, under Vasili's glowing twilight, the next steps of her journey—through training, adventure, and the subtle threads of romance—had only just begun.