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Noah

"You just couldn't resist, could you?" Noah's ears were flat against his head as he glared at Mortimer.

"You know, you don't have to act like I murdered your family," Mortimer said.

Noah's ear flicked as he stopped himself from snapping at Mortimer. The blasted dragon could still be smiling from ear to ear, even after blathering to Mira about what we did the other night in front of the entire bar! He had never felt so embarrassed in his life. Which only made him feel worse when he felt the amusement flowing from Mortimer through the link created by their pact.

"Fine, fine. This made us even after you made me sleep on the floor, so no need to sulk anymore. I doubt anyone will remember once we're back," Mortimer said.

Bullshit, Noah thought to himself while he walked in quiet for a moment before he looked over at Mortimer. "So where are we going?" he asked as he pushed a tree branch from in front of them. Currently, they were both walking through a forest that was a few miles out from the town.

"To train, of course," was all Mortimer said, in his usual nonchalant tone.

Noah didn't know how he was able to put up with Mortimer. The dragon always had something planned and hidden out of view, which drove Noah insane. It also didn't help that unlike the dragon, Noah was no good at sneaking into Mortimer's thoughts. He had attempted to pry into what kind of plans Mortimer had in mind after they left town. However, each time he tried he would run into a wall that blocked him from encroaching any further.

"Whatever..." Noah stepped over a fallen tree trunk and paused. "Why do you keep looking around? Are there Mystics near?"

Mortimer shook his head. "No. It just never hurts to keep an eye on your surroundings."

The tension in Noah's shoulder eased up once he heard that. After the wraith attack, he had an unnerving fear of walking around at night or anywhere he couldn't see straight ahead. It didn't help his nerves that most Mystics were all too happy to hide and wait for a tasty midnight treat to come walking by.

At least this time Mortimer didn't leave him in suspense like he normally did. Still, what is he planning this time? His asshole squeezed, bringing back memories of their previous training session, along with a scorching heat at his ear-tips. Although he had an alternate motive last night, he still made a valid point.

After Noah had a taste of what it was like to go for quality over quantity, the disgusting yet toxic sensation of the energy that came from the alcohol still made Noah's stomach quiver, while the water energy that swept over from Mortimer into him was like being given a drop of water during a drought.

When he had first met Mortimer, he had been too engrossed in the dragon's touch to take notice of just how pure the elemental energy in him was. It was no wonder why his mother wasn't the dragon's match. When it was a fight between two Spellcasters with equal spiritual capacity, the one who had the higher-quality spiritual energy would have the advantage.

That was what a well-made foundation can do for a spellcaster.

Noah didn't really understand this until now, but he could see what his mother meant when she tried to explain what a spellcaster foundation was. Like a house, if anyone slacked on their training or absorbed low-quality energy, it would leave them with a shaky foundation. This would make it literally impossible for them to advance and grow. But with a stable and strong foundation, one could weather any storm.

Thankfully Noah was also keen on training and he knew that the forest around Crescent Fall had good-quality elemental energy. Noah's issue was: where could he find that high-quality energy?

Since I don't have access to a source of Elemental Essence, I'll have to make do with absorbing and refining the energy around me. Finding and refining Elemental Essences was definitely something he needed to keep an eye out for. However, Noah wasn't going to undermine his own growth by refusing the energy around him.

"You seem deep in thought, pup pup," Mortimer's voice snapped Noah back into reality.

"I'm going to end up strangling you, I swear."

"Still waiting," Mortimer chuckled before patting Noah's shoulder.

Rolling his eyes, Noah didn't make any motion to pull away from Mortimer's paw. "So how much farther do we have to go?"

"Beats me. Should be close."

Noah's steps faltered. "Wait, you don't know where we are going?"

"General direction," Mortimer said.

"So in other words, we're lost?"

"Of course not."

"Then where are we going?"

Looking down at the husky, Mortimer simply smiled before walking ahead of Noah. By the gods! Noah rubbed the bridge of his nose and followed close behind the dragon. After a half an hour, both of them finally broke through the forest into a clearing.

"Well Mira wasn't pulling my tail. This is a nice little spot." Mortimer nodded his head in satisfaction.

Noah's tail wagged, but he shoved his curiosity aside and instead asked, "So now are you going to tell me what we're training in today?"

"Well, sure. However, tell me something first. What all have you learned to do when it comes to earth magic?"

Noah's ears dropped as he averted his eyes. "If you're referring to offensively, nothing. However, I know how to grant blessings of the earth to revitalize the soil, to strengthen a person's body, and a few other things. Same goes for fire, although I know a few offensive spells."

For a moment, Mortimer stood there staring and blinking at Noah before slapping his forehead. "That's right. Normally with you shamans, the father teaches their sons how to work with their respective element. I guess that's the shitty part of being the only Spellcasters that are restricted by bloodline and gender."

The fur on the back of Noah's neck stood up as he clenched his cane. "How about instead of making fun of me, you get to the point?"

"So impatient." The corners of Mortimer's lips perked up, showing off his fangs. "Last night I told you about the importance about absorbing and refining Elemental energy and Essences."

"What I didn't tell you was to what degree that they can help you," Mortimer said. "Tell me, if you were to see someone flying through the sky, what would be your first reaction?"

"That they are a Mystic. Most likely one of the Fae, a nymph, or a vampire. Why?"

"I would say you're partially right." Mortimer snapped his fingers. "That is because a Spellcaster also has the potential to gain the ability of flight."

"Wait, what?" Noah's eyes grew wide. "You're pulling my tail. There's no way that's possible."

"Says the frog in the well." Noah huffed at Mortimer's words, but kept quiet as the dragon continued. "There are far more impressive things in this world than flying. The more we travel and the more you see things, the less you'll understand. You'll also come to find out how small you really are in this world." Mortimer turned around and continued walking toward the center of the field, leaving Noah.

The husky really wished the dragon would stop being so cryptic, yet he played along. "You're right. It's obvious I'm weak and have few skills when it comes to defending myself against normal people, and less against Mystics. Though, I take it you dragged me out here to work out a way to fix that?"

"Yup. Sadly, since your comprehension of how to work with the elements themselves are so low, we'll be starting at the basics."

"You can't be serious."

"Absolutely!" Mortimer chuckled, which made Noah groan. "Now then, as you should know, shamans and mystics are some of the few beings that have the power to work deeply with elemental magic. There are four elements that are the cornerstones of creation: wind, water, fire, and earth. Then the two of chaos and order or, as most mortals know them as, light and dark." However, mixed with in the six core elements, there are minor elements that connect to them."

"Like wood and gem are the minor elementals found in earth," Noah blurted out. "And ice with water or lightning with wind. All of which I know."

"Good! At least you haven't neglected that much," Mortimer chuckled. "So tell me, which minor are you more attuned to?"

"Wood, of course."

Mortimer nodded, wisely. "That explains why you're a natural in bed."

A loud scream echoed through the forest as Mortimer knelt down, rubbing his scaly snout while glaring at the cane that was thrown at him. "Any more smart-ass remarks?" Noah asked.

"A million, but I'll save you from them for now." Mortimer shook his head and wiggled his nose. "Well, since you know about the six core elements and some of the minor elements that follow them, you should know how to meld your energy with these elements without chanting a spell and become one with your element."

Noah looked away as the image of Noah fluidly working the lake water danced in his mind, only to be replaced with the lousy display of how long it took himself to work with the earth energy to connect to the wards his mother had set up. "I can do it...just not so well."

Mortimer sighed. "I'll never understand why you shamans have to be completely the opposite of mages, and prefer to have your young discover everything through enlightenment versus just teaching them."

Noah's ears grew hot. "Are you going to continue to criticise me or are you going to train me?"

"Okay, okay. Tell me how much you can do with the earth itself."

"I can bridge a connection with the earth and have it soften and harden, and I can use the trees to spy on others roughly forty feet away. I'm also able to work with tree roots, but only... with small things..."

"...small like how?" Mortimer asked.

"Like...tripping people..."

Noah's entire face grew hot as he watched Mortimer smack his lips. "You really are a pup."

"I'm good with blessings though," Noah quickly said.

"Which isn't going to do shit except for potentially helping you run away with your tail between your legs."

Noah's brow twitched and he squeezed his cane, then eased up his grip. "They're not that useless."

"Are they now?" Mortimer crossed his arms and leaned down. "So tell me. If I were to attack you the same way as I did that wraith, what blessing you would use to defend against it?"

Noah cursed under his breath, which earned him an annoying little snicker from Mortimer. The only blessing he had that was good for defense was Body of the Earth, and compared to Mortimer's attack, he might as well be standing there naked. "Fine, you got me."

"I know I did. There are some blessings for earth that can further improve your strength and defense, however those are far out of your league and would take too long to chant. That's actually the main flaw in using spells to control the elements and create blessings. In a fight, who is going to stand around and wait for you to cast a spell? No one. Spellcasters are feared because of the amount of power they can use that shouldn't be possible. This is why mages and witches always group together with mercenaries or a band of fighters. You, on the other hand, have an advantage that they don't have."

"Becoming one with my element?" Noah asked.

"Exactly. Mages need to have a massive understanding of the spell to be able to cast one without a chant, while shamans and druids need to have an understanding of the element and themselves, reaching the state you mortals call 'becoming one with the elements'. It takes time, but normally with practice and the right guidance you don't have to spend as much time to cast your spells without a chant like mages and witches do. Sadly, it seems that since you didn't have your father to teach you, your progress is worse off than most of those your age."

I swear on my mother's grave, this dragon is the worst! "Just teach me already before you drive me insane!"

Mortimer stuck out his tongue as the air around them quickly grew cold, taking Noah by surprise. "Wait, your sub element is Ice?" Noah asked, taking a step back from Mortimer.

"Why so surprised? I said I was an ocean dragon." Mortimer smirked. "But what I failed to mention was that I originated from the northern seas. The coldest region in all of Pangia."

"So what are you planning on doing?" Noah asked.

"Play with you a bit to see what you can do."

This lunatic! Noah's eyes widened when he saw ice shards appear in the air. Without hesitating, the husky lifted up his paws and chanted: "Pangia, mother of the world, goddess of chaos, I beseech you--"

"Too slow." Twelve ice spikes the size of a grown man's arm appeared above Noah's. With a flick of Mortimer's finger, two of them instantly shot down, sending chills of dread through Noah's spine.

Noah's pupils dilated as he jumped back and rolled out of the way just before both spikes slammed down right where he once was standing. The husky turned around to see the ground had already frozen over, and even the fur on the tip of his tail had frost clinging to it from the cold air. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"Training." Mortimer flicked another finger, which made Noah instantly take off running as one spike after another came crashing down right behind him.

This blasted dragon is truly a demon in disguise! Even though Noah knew that Mortimer was slowing down his attacks, it didn't make him feel any better that he didn't have any time to retaliate. By the time ten spikes hit the ground, another ten formed and the first ten melted, leaving the water to slide back towards Mortimer.

An invisible hand squeezed at Noah's heart when he saw this and he cursed more. There was only a small break in between attacks, giving Noah some room to run and dodge. However, there was no time for him to chant a spell, nor even time to send his energy into the earth to search for any roots to control.

"What's wrong? Why haven't you chanted out a blessing, pup? Or an earth spell?" Mortimer laughed as he continued flicking and twirling his fingers around.

Of course, there was no way Noah could chant on the run. Chanting needed to be smooth and fluid because it was a focus a Spellcaster used to work their spiritual energy outward to create magic. If there was a misplaced word or even a slight pause, it would cause the spell to either not work or backfire. Something he wasn't willing to risk!

Of course, he couldn't keep running forever. A bone-chilling cold penetrated Noah's arms as more frost clung to his fur. If he dodged, he'd still freeze eventually. If he got hit, then he'd be an icicle husky. Becoming one with one's element was indeed far more efficient than spellcasting.

Noah's eyes narrowed as he charged to the forest. From behind him, he could hear a chuckle followed by a familiar whistle. Diving off to his left, Noah felt the rumble of a spike of ice hit the ground beside him before he felt his body tense up from the cold. Specks of frost quickly formed around Noah's right arm and cheek, and his breath turned pale white. "Enough! Enough, you win!" Noah glared at Mortimer, who was smiling innocently.

"I wondered how long it would take you to give in. Still, being able to dodge my attacks for three minutes isn't horrible," Mortimer said.

Noah spit as the cold air quickly went away and the ice spike near him melted, the water flowing back behind Mortimer. By now there was a large orb of water that hung in the air behind the dragon. The sight of it made Noah's eyes widen. After struggling with the spikes, he had completely forgotten about the water after it melted. Seeing this mass amount of water made Noah realize even if he were to escape into the forest, he would just be hounded by the water behind the dragon.

Seeing the look in Noah's eyes, Mortimer's smile only widened before the water seeped back into the earth. "Now you see the difference in why you need to learn how to meld your magic into the earth, becoming one with it. You may be cunning and sneaky, but such tricks won't save you forever. Especially if dealing with a Mystic who can use magic."

Noah's ear twitched at Mortimer's comment. He had already figured out that this was all Mortimer's twisted way of bringing him back to reality. He might have been able to pull a fast one on the Skull Mercenaries the other day, but they were idiots to begin with. In an actual fight Noah was sorely lacking, and it showed.

Although he had Mortimer by his side, it wasn't enough. Mortimer was already weak to begin with after being stuck in Crescent Lake for so many years. It didn't help that he was also constantly masking their presence from those who were hunting him. When he thought of the creatures that were strong enough to make a proud dragon like Mortimer hide away, it made him feel that much weaker.

Then there was the fact that Noah was a Druid, which made matters worse for both of them. If a Mystic was to get ahold of him, he would be used as a slave that could always replenish their energy and boost their strength. Then again, it wouldn't be any better if the Church got him either. A druid was too dangerous of a tool for Hedge Holt to take into their custody, and the Church would do anything in their power to stop that from happening. Of course, being a tool for political games in Hedge Holt was something Noah couldn't bring himself to do.

All this brought things into perspective to Noah's mind, and he felt his shoulders tense up. He needed to get stronger and faster, else he'll constantly be plagued with doubt. "Then what do I need to do?"

Seeing the new look of determination in Noah's eyes, Mortimer nodded his head. "Well, we'll branch off of what you already know and improve from there. Now give me your paw."

"...Why?"

"Just trust me."

Noah took a step back. "No."

Rolling his eyes, Mortimer leaned down and grabbed up a clump of mud into his paw and rolled it up into a ball. Noah's eye narrowed as he watched the ball bounce up and down in the dragon's paw. "You can either come here and give me your paw, or I can toss this at your face. Your choice."

To hell with that. You can punch a hole through a tree. I can't imagine what it'll be like if you threw that at my face! " Alright, here..." He held out his arm and flinched as he felt the mud ball hit his paw pads. "The hell do I do with this?"

Mortimer shrugged. "Mold it into a shape, anything you can imagine, then harden it. Then soften it back to mud and create a different shape. You're already good at it when it comes to my dick, so having more practice will only make you better at it for later."

If there was walking through the forest at that time, they might have paused at the sound of a loud scream that echoed across the air.