How many days?

How long ago since she found herself in front of the mage's door? Or, to be more precise . . . . . How long was Narissa going to let herself avoid her for?

The russet colored girl mulled over theses thoughts as she laid on her dorm bed, her obsidian eyes fixated over the grooves of the ceiling. Her thoughts answered her questions in a scolding manner.

'Of course you know you've been avoiding her for over a week. You haven't even went NEAR enough to her dorm to be near her door all because . . .'

She took in a shuddered breath, her eyes hazing over as the memories of four days ago assailed her. How her body began heating up . . . A stray finger began to dance up her leg, slowly dragging itself to that oh so familiar spot . . . But just as the school clad girl was about to have her finger hike up her blue skirt, she stopped it.

"No . . .that wont solve anything," she to the empty room, losing any interest she had in entertaining those memories. What she felt in herself could not be dismissed by simple touches of the finger or a little moment of bliss. . . . It would take a stronger move to banish that bit of self shame she had within herself, those thoughts making her sit up as she kicked her legs off the bed.

After all of that time it had taken to convince Kanoe to teach her . .. . after all she went through to finally BE taught . . . she felt like she had betrayed her in learning from another teacher.

'Seraph . . .'

Kanoe had been right . . . the whole time . . . Her cryptic words from before preying on her psyche.

"Wearing away at you until you are wanting it just as much as they do. When that happens, you are theirs.

The words shook her frame, the validity hitting her harder in hindsight than her warning could have done before . . . It only proved how weak she still was.

'Then . . . It only proves that I need her more . . .' Resigned to the thought, Narissa finally put her shame on the back-burner . . . . Only good it would do her would be locking herself up in her room. But that wasn't what she wanted to do now, was it?

It had only taken her an hour to get ready and head to the mage's dorm . . . And here she was, in front of the last door in the next dorm over, feeling minuscule with the peep hole staring down at her.

'I hope she isn't mad . . .' And with that final thought, she gulped down the glob of fear and wrapped her knuckles against the door.

The dark witch did have pleasing memories of her lesson with Narissa. But she knew it would take time before the woman would return. She did tell her to practice mana sight. Only when such a thing becomes more of a second nature would things be able to move forward.

Days past by until over a week had passed. Kanoe was not too concerned with such things. Apprentices come and go or rather they come and occasionally disappear. She also had her own matters to deal with. Her lessons with a succubus had revealed things about herself and the strange abilities of a dreamseer. It was one of the few times she felt like she was truly growing in her ability in the mystic arts. But at the same time, the more she delved in the dark arts the more she realized how dark she was.

Natsuki mentioned much of the same things. Was it from the monster attacks or was she truly a sexual being that fed on her own lusts? It was difficult to say. Destra proved she was a sadist through their lesson in dreams and that proof was solidified when Narissa came to her for help. She loved what she did to the woman. Dominating and controlling anothers mind, body, and soul, the thought sent a pleasing shiver through her body. Perhaps her student was a perfect outlet for such urges.

The witch sighed softly, alone again in her bedroom. The there were only four candles and her tome keeping her company again during the winter break. Her encounters with Clarice have become distant. Even together, they were forced to maintain a barrier as her lover served as her pet and she the mistress. A truly erotic encounter if it were not for the powerful being that held both their lives in her hands should they fail in any way.

The knock at her door jolted her out of her thoughts and her studies. In a way, she almost looked forward to the possibility of company. All those monsters and other women she had the pleasure of meeting, her body was not used to the seclusion as much anymore.

Shaking her head to herself, the witch rose to her feet and glided over to the door. As usual her posture and motions were perfect under Natsuki's watchful eye. She opened the door to find a pleasant surprise waiting for her.

Narissa looked very much like the first time she came to her room. The dark skinned woman was wearing her school uniform and was nervous of earning the witch's acceptance. Kanoe was dressed as before, her flowing black robe hugged her features and the long v cut revealed her luscious E cup breasts. She was a bit confused on why the woman was so nervous for this visit. It had been awhile but hopefully that time was spent practicing.

"I see you have returned," Kanoe spoke calmly, "You did not have to wear your uniform. You may wear something more comfortable if you wish next time you visit. Please, come in." Or nothing at all, she thought to herself remembering how the woman willingly did her lessons topless. The witch opened the door wider for the black woman to enter.

"You look as timid as you did the first time you met me," she continued as the door shuts behind her, "Is something the matter? Are you having troubles with mana sight still?" The witch moved to let in more light for Narissa to feel a bit more comfortable in before moving to make them some tea. "I expected things would take time, you are walking a difficult path afterall. It pleases me greatly to see you return nonetheless."

Narissa sighed in relief, the tense atmosphere she expected absent from the meeting as Kanoe greeted her amiably. 'She doesn't appear to be upset . . .' Narissa found herself giving Kanoe a quick look over, dark eyes were snatched at the curves of her bust. A blush nearly overcame her visage before she was able to continue, stopping at Kanoe's smiling face.

"I . . .will keep that in mind. I just usually am in my uniform anyways, so its not too uncomfortable," she replied sheepishly stepping inside. Once inside, she heard Kanoe's question. Did she always appear to see so timid? "Oh, no, I can see mana sight perfectly well now!" 'Shoot!' Did she respond to eagerly with that? Was she supposed to have more trouble? She made to scratch at her earlobe.

With the days following where the fallen angel Seraph had taught and taken her, she had become more or less anxious on the next time she would meet Kanoe. It felt like a personal betrayal and, for the lessons coming from Kanoe, it made her feel self conscious that she had learned from such creatures that were on this island. After seeking the mage out to stop them, even the fact that she wasn't in her right mind at the time Seraph taught her didn't make it easier for her to accept and she wished to hide the things she learned from him from Kanoe. Mana sight was the only thing she was supposed to learn now.

"Um . . . well, I've practice a lot since last," she smiled watching as Kanoe prepared the tea.

Even the woman's dark skin did not hide the heat rising in those cheeks. Narissa was truly adorable. The student was timid and submissive but still held enough willpower to walk this path. Attempting to learn magic was not for the weak willed and there were many obstacles to overcome before one was even able to use any spells at all. It was the woman's sheer willingness to do anything to achieve that power that made Kanoe want to take this one under her wing. Perhaps this one had potential but even if Narissa did not, the dark witch wanted nothing more to have this one wrapped around her finger.

She was impressed with the rather confident answer she received. Seems her apprentice was practicing delingently. "I see," she replied cooly, "Then while I prepare this tea, describe the threads you see." Kanoe would time the woman of course. Achieving mana sight was an accomplishment in itself but she had to focus for a short time in order to see things fully. Narissa would have to rely on full sight when channeling and monsters were not going to wait for the woman to fall into the appropriate trance to do so.

A short time later, the dark witch returned with a ornate tea tray with matching cups and kettle. Kanoe poured Narissa a cup before doing the same for herself. She then took her seat across from the woman, the sun and candlelight keeping them company. She studied Narissa with interest as the woman replied with what she was able to see. If this one has already perfected sight, maybe there was hope for this one yet.

Narissa sat in her seat much like she did last time, taking the cup of tea thankfully as she nodded to the woman. If there was anything different before, it was the brightness of the room, rather than the darkness that covered their near nude figures before. That difference alone was able to help her from getting her mind sidetracked back to how she sat in this very seat before and begin to get hot under her blouse.

"Well . . . from what I can tell, I think I understand why I answered the way before," she began after taking a sip of the hot tea, the drink's flavor perfect yet scent not overpowering as she breathed it in. "Last time. I said the threads looked rainbowy . . .and always shifting in color . . . I was only seeing the reflecting of the others on each thread." Grimacing at old mistakes, she drank another sip of the tea before allowing it to sit in her mouth, savoring the flavor before swallowing in one go.

"Because, each thread has their own color . . . many of them may float near by each other, giving off their own mana a bit . . . but they don't seep it and are wholly distinct from each other. Some go past other objects, others simply float around people and things . . . at least, that's what I've been observing." Finished explaining as best she could, she willed herself not to yammer on or try to explain it in a better way by focusing on her tea. She did what she was supposed to and, to find fault in her example before Kanoe could if there was one, would be senseless.

The answer she received was rather thorough. There was no actual colors being given but rather what the threads are doing. Though one could possibly memorize such things if the knowledge is available, she had no reason to believe this was not due to some rather focused training by her apprentice. "Seems you have a better grasp at reading the threads. This is good," she replied simply, taking a sip of her tea, "If you are able to see the threads in such detail, we can move on to attempting to control the flow of mana outside and within your body. I am very pleased with your progress so far, Narissa."

But the most difficult part had yet to come. Channeling was a difficult and potentially dangerous thing to practice and learn. She still did not know if this woman would be able to channel anything at all. The only thing they could try is attempt to channel basic elements and see if Narissa had an affinity to one. With luck, it may be an element she was skilled in. Otherwise, the two may have to take some risks when attempting new spells for her.

"Maintain your sight for now, Narissa," she said softly, "These next steps will prove difficult. If you feel pain, immediately stop what you are doing. Until we have a grasp on what your potential is, we will be performing the next steps slowly and carefully." Kanoe waved her hand and each of the four candles spark with a larger flame for a brief moment before returning to normal size. "We have three basic elements here with us right now. Air, water, and fire. For now, focus your sight on an area with more threads of a certain color than the others. Then attempt to pull or tug on it with your will. You may use your hands if it helps you but do not touch the source directly, would not want to burn your hands if you reach for a candle."

The dark witch took a deep breath and focused her own sight so she could see if any of the weaving threads alter in any way. With Narissa concentrating, it could be difficult to see if progress is being made from her point of view. Trial and error, much like the last lesson. Of course she would be more lenient in her punishments should the need arises.

"I understand . . . It's not like touching fire would help, huh?" she laughed, the back of her mind knowing she'd normally get carried away in something she'd focus . . . Anywhos

Closing her eyes, a small sigh escaped her as she blinked them open, her sight seen as the dozens of once hidden threads made themselves visible. she spotted several, some coming from the vents of the air conditioning, blowing on invisible wind even though the A/C was not on. Some of them floated upward and around the flames of the newly ignited candles.

Looking around with a calm visage, she could only hold the grin back of being able to show Kanoe her ability. Yet it was how alive the atmosphere felt now that she could see what was around her. It happened like that all the time she had activated her sight. Like from being regular antenna television, to suddenly getting cable watching on an HD television screen.

She saw what Kanoe spoke of. A dark color of blue dangled upward from the tea cup in her hand as she held the hot cup. at one point, closest to the surface of the liquid, the thread darkened the most at from the other length of the thread. 'This must be what she spoke of.' The thought mused in her head as she slowly lifted her hand near to it, barely keeping an inch apart from the thread. a minute passed as she studied the dangling thread, focused on its languid motions above her tea cup . . . Then, slowly her eyes left the rim of the cup as they met with Kanoe's, a sheepish smile on her lips.

"Um . . .how do I . . .'will' it to me, exactly? It doesn't seem to want to." She had been trying since the start of her finding it.

"It is not something one can easily explain to someone who has never channeled before, even by accident," she answered, "Perhaps starting on the outside is a bit much. Until we know what elements work well for you, we should focus on the mana inside your body. This should be easier to work with as it is a part of you." At least the woman was not being discouraged. This was going to be perhaps the most difficult part about magic. Learning on her own, it took a very long time for her to be able to channel and that was back when she did not know of things like mana sight. The monsters of the island were kind enough to offer her the basics she skipped over in exchange for her body.

"Maintain your sight and instead try to feel the threads flowing through your body. You do not need to focus on any particular strand. Just concentrate on directing the flow. In most cases until you learn more advance magic, you will be flowing this mana to your arms and hands. For now, do not force the flow but instead just guide it to where you need it. It may struggle with you but remain calm and relaxed. Tell me if you feel anything different." The witch sipped her tea as she continued to watch Narissa. Chances are they would make no progress. The odds were against the student but she would give as much advice as she could. Most students had the spark or potential for magic. Usually that meant these students have channeled magic usually by accident and was usually activated through sheer emotion.

Kanoe patiently waited. She constantly reviewed all her past lessons and times she self taught her magic. It was just not something that could be easily explained. Channeling the elements was not something an ordinary human could do afterall. It would be like if she were all the sudden able to fly and was now teaching a normal person how she did it. It just becomes natural the more you use it. It just needs to happen once else it will never happen at all.

From within . . . Narissa was worried something like that would show up in the training. 'What would she think if I've already mastered it from her telling me the first time? "I'll . . . try. . . "

Closing her eyes, the familiar highways of lights and mana that she remembered seeing those weeks ago with Seraph lit up inside of her. As of then, she saw the lights flowing up and down around her, much as she could remember seeing on a Chi flow chart in massage spas. Narissa took this time to half open her eyes, peeking at the sorceress from under the cover of her lashes. What would she expect of her early on with this? What obstacles was Kanoe expecting of her to hit on?

Narissa did not count on the odds that what she learned might be entirely different than what Seraph had told her as she bidden her time, simply remaining seated as her face took the guise of focus. 'I will just have to do so and not make it look as good.'

Closing her eyes fully, she focused on the small highways of mana going within her body as she slowly worked the flow opposite of their regular motions, taking time to make sure to focus on a thread that passed through her and how it reacted with her flow. Like a magnet, it seemed to repel or gravitate closer with the strength of how she pulled her mana flow. 'So is that how it works?'

Kanoe was not concerned about how quickly the woman learned. It was always faster to learn from another than to teach yourself. If Narissa completed this task, then they could move on else they will have to continue practicing channeling. Some people just have that knack or gift to learn things quickly or on the first run. That would make things easier and would just make her little apprentice all the more desirable.

She continued to watch Narissa as she hesitantly tried again under her new directions. The witch could see mana flowing about the woman. She was just as focused as the dark skinned woman, watching to see if anything was being manipulated. Her eyes widen slightly as she noticed the flow changing, even going in an opposite direction. The change was rather impressive as the woman seemed to be using two different flows to guide the threads she wanted to move. It was certainly not something she considered or if that is how she channels without knowing it.

The witch kept silent for now, watching the woman channel and not interupting. Now the question was if there was a particular element this one could channel better. Or perhaps there was multiple elements like her lover. There was no signs showing any sort of affinity to an element so far. It was as if the woman could direct the flow of all her mana with no issues at all. Seems punishments would not be in order but rather rewards. Narissa must have stumbled upon something while practicing alone or perhaps tried to move a few subjects ahead like an overeager student.

Once the woman stopped channeling, Kanoe finally spoke. "That was very impressive. Seems you have a certain knack for channeling. Are you able to do that no matter the color of the thread or is there particular elements that you can manipulate easier?" At this rate Narissa may be ready to learn about reading runes and speaking incantations. It was definitely unexpected to find this woman nearly past the hardest steps of learning magic and channeling.

"A knack?" Narissa gave a lopsided grin, one that didn't reach her eyes. 'Well, I suppose that can happen as well.' Her mind drifted back to where the garden was. She didn't feel like she had a knack then. . . .

"I . . . am not sure. I only caught on to one. I wasn't looking for the other colored ones as I did that." Taking a quick glance around the room from where she recalled the thread coming from, it seemed to have wisped off from where it connected with her. "But . . . I believe it was a lighter color," she muttered to herself, rubbing her right ear lobe. "Sorry, I guess I didn't pay attention as I should have."

'I need to stop thinking back to that time,' she mentally chided to herself. If she kept letting herself get distracted, it may annoy her mentor. Being unfocused would only deter her training and pace and she knew that was not something she was willing to afford.

"Um . . . what are the one's that you find hardest to control, Kanoe?"

"You seem to not be aware that you were controlling nearly all the mana in your body," Kanoe replied cooly, "You were not channeling any specific element but rather controlling large sections of your mana in opposite directions and using that to guide specific threads. I have never seen anything like it. You do not appear tired so I suppose it works for you."

She took a long sip of tea before continuing. She could not help but feel a little jealous on how easily this woman was getting it. Teaching herself had made some bad habits on how she channels her mana which has made her magic more volatile than it should be. "If you can control your body's mana this easily then it is possible that you can control any element. But we will have to wait and see I suppose. I can only channel fire and dark elements. I simply do not know the methods of channeling the others and am still learning little by little. Most mages tend to specialize in elements familiar to them while others spread thin across many elements. It is all a matter of taste and potential. Most gifted students I meet have already channeled an element by accident usually while in a high emotional state."

"Now, try again and this time try to find an element that feels... easier for you. Without any sort of spark, we are a bit blind in finding your elemental affinity. Or you may have none... The way you channel is... different. Pay attention this time. You may try to force it this time. Do not worry, I will watch you with my sight." The witch was curious on what the limits of this strange method channeling was. It really seems like an odd way to channel. Most just focus on making their mana flow in a direction, not make two separate masses of mana to act as a pathway. How is this girl able to do this?

Narissa nodded to herself as she took in the information. On one hand, she was happy that Kanoe was pleased on her progress, but on another, it was going in a direction she wasn't well scripted in. And other students . . . . Surely none on this island? Right?

'It seems almost like a set up for a bad play.' Seraph's training had seemed to put a hitch on her learning as much as it seemed it had helped. If Narissa was going to learn mana from Kanoe, then she couldn't use anything that Seraph taught her as much. Despite the leap of hurdle, it presented a fork in the road. If she continued up that path any further, Kanoe wouldn't be able to assist or help her as much . . . She didn't know why, but that thought alone turned her stomach. She knew she didn't wish to resort to the monster's aide, but from having someone that was also in her situation . . .. someone that appeared strong and not a victim . . . .Narissa almost found herself in awe of the dark witch.

"Alright then. I will try . . . more forcefully this time," she spoke, taking in another deep breath.

Her eyes narrow slightly at Narissa's response and reaction. "Is there something wrong?" she asked softly, "You seem less than pleased that you are progressing this quickly. This is what you want, correct?" She simply did not understand how the woman can be this distracted. Even Kanoe would have been happy if her abilities grew at this rate. Come to think of it, Narissa had been acting strange since she arrived.

"And I said you may force it some. If it helps you then do so. There are many ways to do magic and various fundamentals that are followed. Some techniques are simply better for some people," Kanoe sighed softly. If the woman loses focus on her goal then this would be all for nothing. The witch wanted to ask but did not want to distract Narissa further with questions about monsters and the such. Being attacked and raped over time wears away at the body and soul. She could only hope the poor woman was still enduring. "Please tell me if something is bringing you discomfort. I cannot help you if you keep silent about such things. I am in the same boat as you and other students."

Perhaps it was a monster attack. Narissa did come to her the first time after a few monster attacks. The mental and physical abuse had worned down the dark skinned woman thoroughly, leaving her malleable and ready to mold in her hands. In this fragile state, she could understand further attacks having a greater affect on the helpless student. But she could not help with any of it if her own student does not speak to her. How troublesome.

Narissa contemplated on that. It was only so true that they both understood the nasty secrets of this island of what else besides people inhabited it. But a nasty knot in her gut told her not to tell her. Would she be angry? Would Kanoe be upset that she actually learned this from the very thing she was helping her fend off?

"It's . . . nothing that I can't handle on my own. I promise." She smiled off. Sure, it was true that they were in the same boat . . .But perhaps that was the same reason why she didn't feel like she could tell her. Monster attacks happened to the both of them and, as pessimistic as it may have sounded, Narissa was realistic enough to know that it probably would happen again. The same with Kanoe were the prospects. She couldn't continue to whine and pester the witch. . . She would, for now at least, attempt to stand on her own feet. It was what she came to do in Shokushu after all. The last thing she would want to do is exhaust Kanoe's ears with bickering.

"Yes. I wont lie. I was attacked again and . . I still get scared when I suddenly find myself alone in the halls or separated from the others students by myself but . . . I can't let them win so easily, right?" she spoke resolutely. Keeping her eyes opened, she more firmly moved her mana channels, watching as the connecting and near by mana threads reacted. Some barely reacted, not even so much as twitching with the current of her mana. Others, she noted lighter colored ones, seemed to become more attracted as they either were pushed away or came closer to her. "Um . .. this red one here is moving most, I think," she said, seeing one coming from her left, near by her shoulder level.