Chapter 4: Repel, Part 2

The chirp of insects woke Mariana from her light slumber the next morning. After checking if there's any danger through her morning routine, she figured it was safe, so Mariana started packing her things back into her suitcase. Mariana checked if she dropped anything when she caught in the side of her eyes that Ignis was still on the ground, dozing off.

'Not an early riser, huh?'

Mariana lightly tapped his shoulders several times. "Hey, Sir Ignis. It's morning already, I guess you should wake up."

Surprisingly, that was all it took to wake him. He soon put all his things back in his magic pouch, which made Mariana feel envious.

'Oh, someday I will have one of those.'

"Thanks…" he said.

"No problem, Sir Ignis. By the way, I want to thank you properly again for saving me yesterday. I never had a chance to say it yesterday," said Mariana.

"You're welcome," he said, and went on.

Now they're back to square one. Aside from Ignis' explanation about his artifact last night, he never really talked much. No matter what Mariana said, he just ignored her or would reply, but wouldn't attempt to lengthen their conversation. Mariana would've given up on trying to converse with him hadn't he said last that bothered her.

Mariana's attempt to flush away his thoughts had led her eyes to Ignis' face. She never had the chance to notice last night since it was dark, but her face was pleasing to look at. He had down-turned eyes, a prominent nose, and thin lips which would've appeared more eye-pleasing had he learned how to make it curve upwards. His hair, though, she couldn't see, for he never removed his hood yet.

Mariana shook her head. Why was she staring at his face when she should be starting a conversation?

'I'm stuck. Help me out here, Grandma.'

"Where are you heading?" Ignis said.

'You're too quick on the uptake, Grandma. Nice!'

"Ah, um, I'm about to go to Magna City. I have always wanted to become a mage, and last week, a water spirit blessed me! Here, look!" Mariana said. Then she showed him her water ring — its sapphire gem dazzling in the center.

"I just asked where you are heading, but good for you, I guess…"

'Can you help him, too?'

"S-sorry about that. But why did you ask, anyway?" Mariana said.

"Just curious. Anyway, let's leave while it's still early. I know the way. If we hurry, we'll reach Magna before the sun sets."

Mariana celebrated in her mind. Her grandma was really reliable — even in death.

"Okay, after you!" Mariana cheered.

And they're off.

Mariana enjoyed traveling with Ignis — even if he was petrified like a rock most of the time. Now she thought that her mini-celebration was for naught. Still, she would try to thank him properly. Even if he clearly didn't mind (or care).

This lingered in Mariana's mind as they traveled together. She didn't have the luxury to give him anything, and wouldn't be able to offer something delicious. Money? Ignis was obviously richer than her, so that was a no.

'Ah, this is hard! What could I possibly do for him at least?'

Maybe… maybe she could just make him smile. But Mariana was hesitant. Would that even work? How would she make a rock smile, anyway? Mariana couldn't help but sigh.

Mariana tried observing Ignis as they traveled, but as expected, she got nothing. His face was like a blank slate. His face doesn't even seem to itch.

"Something wrong?" He asked out of nowhere.

Funny how Invidia seemed to be smiling at her, Mariana thought. So many opportunities were being given to her left and right — and she wouldn't let it go kaput.

"Ah, um, something's really bugging me. Can I ask you something?" Mariana asked to buy time. She hadn't really thought of anything to say yet. Hopefully, it soon surfaced from her mind.

"I said last night that I would answer your questions, remember? Is it about everything that happened after you lost consciousness?"

Mariana became flustered. How could she totally forget about that? Well, you've been bothering yourself with your rock savior, that's why, said another little voice inside her head.

"Y-yes, yes, that one!"

'Maybe I really am forgetful…'

Ignis told Mariana everything that happened when he rescued her. He stated that he quickly defeated the first bandit after she dropped unconscious. The other two tried to fight back but got defeated immediately, too. This terrified the last one; he scampered back to the woods. Ignis had wanted to chase him but decided against it as her hand was bleeding heavily. Ignis healed her, carried her with Star in tow, and continued traveling until before the sun set. Then he searched for a safe spot to camp. All that happened next — Mariana already had an idea.

Mariana tried her very best to not cheer for Ignis. Not only did he save her, but he also carried her unconscious body someplace safe. She was sure not everyone would bother themselves to do that. Mariana felt so indebted — Ignis truly saved her life.

"You're truly amazing, Sir Ignis. To think that you even wasted a potion for my wound — no wonder I forgot about it! Here, let me pay you with another one."

Mariana searched for her potion bag. She had three bottles inside that Marcus kindly gifted her the day before she left.

"You don't have to. I used a spell to heal you since it removes scar wounds, too," Ignis said.

Mariana's eyes widened. Potions indeed heal wounds almost instantly, but scars still formed at the site of the wound. However, when she checked her right palm where the arrow hit, the scar wasn't there. It even felt like she never got shot in the first place.

All this time, Mariana was with a mage, and she wasn't even aware. She knew Ignis was strong, too since healing spells are hard to pull off based on what she'd read from her books. He must be a water mage, too — she knew no such earth or wind healing spell existed, but a water spell that could heal wounds; she hadn't heard of that. Mariana knew only that water mages could heal only poison and sickness. This only meant that Ignis was a genius, since not just anyone could create an original spell. This rocked Mariana to the core.

But more importantly, Mariana had finally met another mage. She was so happy — she didn't even notice it right away when tears fell from her eyes.

"So you're a water mage, too?! Then could you please give me some tips? Please, I beg of you!" Mariana knelt and pulled on Ignis' robes. "I haven't cast a proper spell ever since I got my ring, so could you teach me some water spells? No, I would appreciate it even if you just give me some general techniques or pointers, so please Sir — no — Master Ignis; please teach me!"

Mariana closed her eyes and patiently waited.

'Please say yes...'

"Sorry… I can't help you," Ignis said. He removed her clutched hands in her robes.

Mariana's heart sank.

Why would he even help her? Mariana realized she was asking for too much, and she got what she deserved. A plain rejection.

Mariana hastily wiped her eyes and stood up and said, "I-I understand."

"Wait, are you crying?" Ignis asked.

"Y-yes I did, a little, but not because I was sad that you rejected me." Mariana wiped the dust that settled on her dress, then continued.

"I just felt ecstatic when I realized you're a mage. You see, I've always wanted to meet a mage — a real living mage — and maybe even learn from one. Then you appeared in front of me and I… I got excited." Mariana sighed. "I don't mind that you rejected me, really. So, please don't worry about it."

"Wait, I think you misunderstood."

"Um, misunderstood what?"

"I can give you tips. I just can't teach you water spells since I'm not a water mage."

"Wait, you're not?"

The twinkle in Mariana's eyes returned, but a question soon arose from her head. Did she guess wrong? No, that wasn't possible. Unless it happened recently, she would've known from Marcus if the other elemental mages learned how to heal wounds. Still, she never expected that the answer would be far from what she — or Paradis as a whole — had learned.

"… I'm a fire mage."

…

Mariana still remembered clearly what her grandma told me that day when I decided I would be a mage.

'No human has ever been a fire mage…'

She woke up from her trip to memory lane when Ignis told her they should rest for a while. They stopped in the middle of a nearby shady area.

Mariana inspected Ignis' face, checking for any signs that he might be lying. This proved to be ineffective, as he didn't show any emotions, anyway, but she still tried.

"What is it this time?" Ignis said.

"Are you lying to me, Sir Ignis?" Mariana asked.

"You're too close…" He pushed Mariana's face away. "… And I'm not lying."

"But humans cannot be fire mages," Mariana said. "My grandma told me that to be one, you need to take part in a ritual which includes being engulfed in a sea of-"

With cold eyes, Ignis walked a few distances away from her. Then he pointed his left palm to a distant rock. Mariana's eyes caught the swirling embers now forming in front of Ignis' hand. Suddenly, the embers went ablaze — then took a circular shape. All of this happened almost instantly, and when the swirling ball of inferno appeared stable, that's when he uttered the spell.

"[Fireball]..."

The ball of flame then quickly flew toward his target. It was so powerful; the rock exploded, sending several tiny pieces of debris everywhere. It even startled Star — who was busy munching leaves the entire time.

At that moment, Mariana realized how naïve she was. Grandma was right when she said that no human has ever been a fire mage, but she never said that humans wouldn't be able to be one at all. Mariana just assumed that it was impossible, since even the books she'd read also said so.

But Mariana didn't mind being in the wrong, for she knew now that she could correct her old beliefs. She resolved to not let herself get stuck by established knowledge from the past. Magic was free, and being free meant that it was capable of change, and the fire mage in front of her was the evidence. She was happy that she understood is this early.

"Believe me now?" Ignis said.

"Y-yes..."

'Thank you, Goddess Invidia. I swear I would not make the same mistake again.'

"Then let's go. We're almost there."