"Your memory?" she blinked at this new information, "You are not going to forget why you came in here or anything are you? I prefer not to repeat lessons but seeing as you are able to use magic I suppose you are able to retain some data at least. As for those... things... just be aware that this island is alot more dangerous than it appears. Also magic is suppressed on this island which will make our magic less powerful and more difficult to channel."

"With you already able to cast some spells, your little club succeeded in teaching you the basics I assume? Are you able to read and manipulate threads of mana? And the steps is what I was asking about. What do you focus on when channeling this spell? What are do you manipulate and change to make your illusions appear? Basic illusions can be seen as very simple magicks but the higher level spells involve several more things to make them effective."

Kanoe looked to her cup and back to Ishtar. "Seems we are out of water..." She did not know how much was left in the other woman's cup. She was unsure if Ishtar would pick up on what she was hinting at. Unlike her Narissa, the witch doubts that this woman really knew what it meant to give herself to another. But she might as well start somewhere and go from there.

Ishtar blinked at a moment as looked at Kanoe's empty cup, at first the blue haired student didn't understand. Then it suddenly clicked. Oh, let me get that for you. Ishtar quickly scooped up her's and the raven haired woman's cup and head over to get some water. As she poured fresh water for herself and Kanoe she continued to answer her questions.

Um, when I am attempting to cast a spell. I focus on the image that I am attempting to create. As I do so, I tend to manipulate the threads around me that are easiest to move. This lets me create the illusion, and the more mana I through at it the easier it is to manipulate. Ishtar finished fill both glasses and returned with a fresh glass for Kanoe. Here you go.

"Thank you," she gave a soft smile as she accepted the glass and took a drink, "I am not that proficient in illusion but forcing it is probably limiting you more than helping. What mana you wish to manipulate will be based on what you wish to create and change. Changing just the ceiling to reflect a night sky would require only light mana, perhaps some shadow. If you wanted to make it actually feel like we were outside, then changing elements of air and perhaps fire would be needed. The more detailed the illusion, the more that you will have to manipulate and keep track of."

Kanoe rose to her feet and briefly went through her closet. She returned shortly after with a few journals and notebooks along with a small tome with some old runes along its binding. "So part of your lack of energy is due to forcing mana you probably did not need to manipulate. You may also be just rather low on mana as normal. Not all people are born with that spark necessary to use magic and those who have the spark, the potential varies just like some people are naturals at certain subjects or sports," she sets the books down on the table, "You may also be lacking in some of the basics. So whenever you have the strength to channel, we are going to do some minor exercises to hopefully help you get used to channeling. Otherwise, you will learn how to translate and understand magical writings. That small tome has some information about manipulating the mind and creating illusions. I suppose that is another way to create illusions. Simply create the images inside your audience's minds. Much easier to believe something from their own heads afterall."

"I included some of my own notes to help guide you. This is very much learning a new language so this will be slow. Do not push yourself too hard, it can become difficult if you burn yourself out of mana too quickly." Kanoe stood beside Ishtar for now. She would do her best to guide the woman and get started. She had a blank journal for the woman to write her own notes down. With a poor memory, writing was the only solution she could think of on that matter. As the woman's teacher, she was here to answer questions for her new apprentice.

Ishtar watched as Kanoe went over to closet and retrieved some books. Upon her return, it became clear that most of the books were actually actually journals and notebooks, although one is a small tome. The raven haired woman quickly made it clear that this was her notes on the subject of mana. Ah I see I am using more mana that I should because I am forcing the issue instead of simply manipulating the threads for the desired effect. That makes sense. Ishtar picked up the newest of the books and it turned out to be a blank notebook.

The blue haired student was a bit puzzled by the empty notebook until she realized what it is for, it was her to write down notes about her magical studies! Ishtar immediately opened and began to fill its pages with Kanoe's advice. This is good stuff. Thank you, Kanoe. I do have a question. If it is easier to make an illusion in a person's head, is there times where it would be more effective to do a general illusion rather than entering people's heads to create an illusion. For example, if you are dealing with a large audience?

"It is just a different method in creating a believable illusion. Much like how heat and light creates mirages in a desert is one way to hallucinate while a similar effect could happen from simply being delirious under the hot sun. Manipulating the mind may or may not be easier, really depends on what you are proficient in. Either change elements or do forms of hypnosis. Illusion and mental magicks generally have their own set of rules."

Already her student was scribbling down notes as quickly as the student's hand could go. "As for multiple people, it still would be based on what you can do better. There are people who hypnotize their entire audience. The human brain generally works the same for everyone so it would be possible to simply use a wider spread spell of the same effect. Would probably take alot more effort but it all comes down to preference. With several observers, there is a chance that a general illusion may be noticed from some flaw from a certain angle."

For now, she allowed the eager apprentice some time to write and read what she can. With the woman so focused, the witch was reluctant from moving that focus in too many directions. She will just let the student learn much like she did, just try to soak up as much knowledge as possible.

Hmmm, I haven't thought of that before. I wonder if I can be good mental magicks; I suppose I could always try it. Ishtar continued to scribbled notes as she tried to absorb everything the witch was saying. But you are right, people do think alot. I guess I'll have to see what is easier to perform. Ishtar smiled a bit, this was good information for the blue haired student, she had made the right choice in coming to Kanoe.

Ishtar thought about it before she asked her next question. So what kinds of threads of magic are there? How many can you manipulate at once? Ishtar continued to scribbled as she asked the question.

The witch had no answer on whether Ishtar could use more mental based magicks. There were many elements that can lead to manipulations and illusions. Even her shadow magic can make some shapes with shadows though she was never skilled in making them very stable or detailed. The woman seemed rather happy to be studying here with Kanoe. It was to be expected, this was a great boon for a beginning mage. Unfortunately, she never had such opportunities herself and learned mostly alone or from monsters. At least she has Clarice to study with.

Teaching was tiring though but always had the potential to produce another useful asset against the monsters on the island. Or at the very least some new ways to use magic, never know what an apprentice may stumble upon during their training. "They are known as threads simply because that is what they look like when you focus on them. There are as many colors as there are elements of magic and some may even combine to form their own colors. I am proficient in two elements but I generally only focus on one element at a time. Combining darkness with fire can be.. volatile." She added nothing more as she had enough difficulty controlling one element as is. Technically, she only knew of two people who could actually manipulate two elements at once but it was simply combining wind and water to create ice.

Ishtar was a little disappointed that her question for mental magic, but she simply kept it too herself. Kanoe probably not knowledgeable on the subject. The raven haired woman was after all a student herself, it would be too much for Ishtar to assume she was an expert on every subject dealing with magic. Still, she was vastly more knowledge than Ishtar about magic and the blue haired girl was greatful to have any training from her. The young woman vowed that if she learned more about the mental magics she would be sure to teach Kanoe to help repay her.

I see, be careful when combining magic threads. Ishtar wrote down the advice as rapidly as Kanoe had given it. The warning made it sound like it was very difficult for even an experience person to use, it would be extremely difficult for Ishtar to perform. This is all really good advice. I think I have learned more from you in the last five minutes than I have learned all year. Thank you. Ishtar nodded her head. Is there anything I can do for you?

Already the witch was being praised by the young blue haired woman. Kanoe's own progress has jumped greatly since arriving on this island. Despite the price she has paid, nearly all she learned she would have never figured out on her own. Ishtar was more than likely seeing her lessons as a necessity now. At least her apprentice is showing enough eagerness to keep pursuing this path now.

She drank deeply from her glass as she considered the offer. It would take very little effort to order this woman much like she did Narissa. But she did not want to risk pushing Ishtar away and wanted her new little apprentice to be comfortable with this agreement. "As I said before, I do not know you well enough to know what you are offering me. Hmm... Perhaps you can tell me what you believe you have offered when we made this agreement," Kanoe said, "You offered yourself but what does that mean to you? What have I gained for revealing these secrets to you?"

Ishtar thought about it for a moment about the witch's question. I think I am offering myself as an apprentice. That I am to assist you in anyway when you need it. That I am available for you for what ever you need. I know I don't offer alot in the way of experience in magic but I can make that up with my enthusiasm. Whatever you asked me to do I will do.

The blue haired student hope she answered the question to the her teacher's satisfaction. She was really excited to learn from Kanoe and was willing to do anything at this point to make this happen.

"You have that backwards," Kanoe replied, "I am offering to take you as my apprentice not the other way around. What you are offering is yourself which you seem to understand at least. I suppose how much I take will be decided on how much I teach and how often you come for my teachings and to use my resources. Currently, most come and go as they please but I would not mind knowing when to expect guests in my room."

The witch looked at Ishtar or at least what parts of Ishtar that were not hidden by the table. "I am not a school teacher so there is no reason for you to wear that uniform here. Wear what you find comfortable." And hopefully revealing, she thought to herself. "We already know that you have nothing to offer me magic wise. Can you at least cook? Clean? Or do you have other things that may interest me?" Little by little, Kanoe would find out just how loyal this new apprentice was. "Speaking of interests, tell me a bit more about yourself. Is magic all that interests you?"

A little bit about myself? Ishtar repeated the question to buy herself a little time to organize her thoughts. Well, besides magic I like to listen to all kinds of the music and like to sing as well too. I am also real interested in fashion as I like to see what clothes will work on people. Finally, I like to act and I am pretty active in the theater.

The blue haired student took the opportunity to address Kanoe other questions, I can clean and I am decent cook although I can't consider myself a master chef. Ishtar smiled a bit. I will probably arrive next time in something a little less formal, but I really wanted to make a good impression.

Ishtar paused a second before asking a question of her own. If you do not mind me asking, what are your interests?

"There is very little besides my studies," she replied simply, "But I do read other books from time to time. Beyond that, I do swim and practice self defense with another student." Kanoe had other talents but none were really interests. She could dance, cook, clean, and had a large amount of knowledge in etiquette. But this was all necessities according to her mistress. Even the swimming was more to keep her stamina up for... other activities.

"You would have impressed me more if you came as yourself," she said with a faint smile, "Well I suppose you can prepare us both a meal. You may use what you like in the kitchen and do prepare some tea. After we eat, I do know of one illusion spell I can try teaching you. It may even help you in some of your interests, assuming you can cast it correctly." She had nearly forgotten about the spell a certain succubi taught her. With her wide range of outfits thanks to her mistress and the fact the school uniform is the standard while in class, she has had little use for this particular spell.

Okay I can do that. Is there anything you prefer? Ishtar smiled as she was happy to help her mentor in some way. She began making her way to the kitchen keeping an ear out for what ever request Kanoe had. Ishtar wanted to get an idea of what was in the kitchen and give a vague idea what to prepare.

The mention of learning an illusion spell did excite the blue haired student, it was the one field that the student was proven to be proficient in. So she was sure to be able to learn it. Still the young lady had to contain her excitement, she was going to have to earn the right to learn it first.

"Make what you wish," she answered simply, "Just do not take long and make sure it will not be messy to eat." The witch returned to her tome and continued her studies while Ishtar worked in the kitchen. Beyond her own memory and written notes, she had not found the spell in any of her books just yet. But, Kanoe was not one to waste time just waiting. Magic was her life and on this island, her only means of defense.

She frowned slightly. Hopefully she did not make the request sound like she was giving away a spell just for a meal. She doubts Ishtar was concerned with the mild details like she was. This was an opportunity to learn a new spell and neither of them would have refused such a boon. The spell was not too difficult for even her unstable mana. The dark witch just had to ensure her new apprentice knew at least a little of the language of magic. But such questions would wait till Ishtar was done working in the kitchen.