Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 44

"Wait, no! Please," you interrupted, stumbling towards the mirror as though you were going to throw yourself between the male and his table. "I didn't mean to offend you. It's just . . . my fiance recently discovered that I'm learning magic. Indeed, he doesn't know about you, but it's gotten me feeling like a bundle of nerves. Especially because he wants to tutor me again-"

"What does that have to do with the way I teach you?"

"Well, cause. . . I've been your apprentice for over three weeks now. And I've done everything you asked. All the assignments, and practices - I've done them. But we're still revising the basics of magic. I just feel like I'm not learning anything new."

The man paused briefly as though he considered your concerns.

"What did lessons with your partner look like?"

"He taught me spell by spell. He'd show me the rituals done with dark magic, and then told me to use myself as a primal source. It's . . . kind of hard to explain."

The complacent grin that rode the male's features screamed, "case and point." But he spared you from the mockery and instead offered a diplomatic answer.

"Because of your lineage, you are a naturally gifted mage. But to go on like this, without embodying the principles of magic, you'll only stir chaos with each practice. Remember patience is a virtue-"

"So what? Am I supposed to trace the draconic alphabet, and repeat childish incantations for the rest of my life? Are you ever going to let me do actual magic?"

Aaravos became very still. And his expression was impenetrable - like the hazy, morning fog that often sits prettily on Katolis's woods. Though it should have felt like a sign of victory, when the elf bowed his head, you felt your stomach churn. Eventually though, he heaved a sigh and squared his shoulders.

"If it helps soothe your . . . misgivings - I suppose I should say that I have an assessment planned for you."

"An assessment?"

"Once you were ready, I was going to give you the contents needed to return the Blacksmith's son back to his full health-"

"W-What?"

"And give him back his legs."

In the moments that followed, you had forgotten how to breathe. You replayed the same notes he spoke in your mind, trying to find some semblance of clarity. But with each run, your heart seemed to crack more and more. "I thought . . . you said that was impossible to do?"

"At the time, yes. But you have me now."

"I had you back then too."

"Not in the same way. In fact, it's not me that you need. It's my blood."

You would have frowned had you not been naked with shock. Aaravos took that as a cue to continue.

"Think of it as a gift of gratitude for you trusting me and the process that I'm taking you on. Indeed, my method may be tedious. But once you learn the foundations of magic, you can cast any spell in the world. Regardless of its complexity."

You branded yourself as a fool after that. Were you really trying to compare someone like that to Viren? Aaravos was not narcissistic. He was not sexist. And he placed good faith in you like no other. In what universe did you think it was fine to doubt the elf? And for a man that belittles you every chance that he got?