I focus as instructed and, as before, coax some of my Mana forth. Again it condenses into the desired shape. I can almost feel it! My heart beats a little faster. It even begins to glow as it should, but then, just before it can solidify the construct collapses again. The spell doesn't simply fizzle out this time around though. Instead it flashes, briefly but brightly, almost blinding me as I was very much focused on it. I let out a wince and cover my eyes.

Brygida does too and her familiar makes a sound that does sound distinctively displeased. The young witch is quick to calm the cat back down though, pulling her her up into her lap, where Captain Whiskers quickly curls up, as the young witch starts to pet her.

"You had it almost. You probably got a little excited and carried away at the end. Am I right?"

I raise an eyebrow. She is pretty much spot on.

"Speaking from experience?"

My counter doesn't seem to bother her. She just keeps petting the cat.

"Yep. Want to take a break before you try again? We aren't in a hurry after all, or are we?"

I shake my head in response.

"No, we should have plenty of time. Plenty enough anyway."

After essentially wasting about as much Mana as a complete makeover with my [Change Shape] power would take, I can really use that break too. Using that much Mana doesn't feel quite as uncomfortable as it used to, but it's still far from pleasant. And it's not like I'm already done either. It's too bad that there are no more cookies though. Oh well, can't have everything. Not all at once or right now anyway.

Maybe I should actually meditate? No, that might take too long. I can't keep Brygida waiting like that and besides my Mana reserves are still deep enough for another few tries. I just really hope it won't take quite that many tries though. Yes, I'd rather really not drain my reserves completely. That would be a little unwise.

Thus I don't go all in on meditation, I perform some of the steps though, even if not quite to the degree necessary to reach a true meditative state. I need to calm down though. The young witch's words suggest that I failed because my emotions might have run away with me. Great, how does one achieve a light emotional state while remaining calm and grounded at the same time? Happy but not excited? Well, I guess I'll just have to try.

Finally, when I feel properly grounded once more, I try again. There is no big sigh or anything of its likes this time around. Instead I keep breathing evenly as I feed my Mana into the spell and this time around it actually works as intended. My Mana solidifies into a second glowing orb right next to Brygida's.

And of course that isn't all that happens. The notifications, the most welcome notifications, start coming in right after, almost without any delay.

[*Ding!* You have unlocked the Light spell at Level 1!]

That is only the first one too. More whispered notifications follow right after.

[*Ding!* You have unlocked the Hedge Witch class at Level 1!]

A dizzying sensation accompanies this notification, as my status undergoes some considerable secondary changes, much like when I unlocked my masked mediator class. My health gets another boost, due to the new class, it's not quite as substantial though, possibly because it's a spell casting class. Oh, and of course my Mana reserves refill!

What feels strangest though is one of my skills, [Meditation], moving from the general skill list to the new class skill list. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to that feeling. This is it, this time around. It's not quite as grand an experience as the time I unlocked my second class, but it's a good development anyway.

And, of course, nothing can keep me from crying out in joy.

"Aw yes! I did it!"

Brygida matches my mood, no questions asked. Judging by the faraway look she had for a moment, maybe because she earned a level up too.

"You did it!"

I actually jump up and pull her into a hug.

"Thanks! Thanks, thanks, thanks! Thank you so much!"

It's the much calmer chuckle from Rysia that eventually makes me calm down again.

"I take it you did more than just unlock the spell as a skill. Or am I wrong?"

I blush a little after getting carried away like that and rub the back of my neck in embarrassment.

"I unlocked a new class too. My third now."

Brygida perks up at that.

"Oh, that might explain why my teaching skill progressed twice and leveled up! What is it? Come on, tell me! Please? Pretty please?"

I could just tell her, but before I do another idea comes to me.

"Or you could try to take a little peek with an identification skill first. I don't mind this once."

She looks a little uncomfortable.

"Well, alright. If you want me to."

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A moment later I can feel an identification skill being used on me. It's not an appraisal skill thankfully. And, more importantly, it fails to take hold while I in turn am rewarded with another notification.

[*Ding!* Your skill Shrouded Soul has leveled up to level 7!]

The young witch pouts.

"What … hey! That's mean!"

I smile and tussle her hair lightly in return.

"Sorry, but you just helped me level up another important skill. Anyway, the class I unlocked is hedge witch."

That seems to mollify her. She keeps pouting a little longer though while she thinks about it. Finally she answers.

"That makes sense. You are only dabbling in magic after all and haven't gone through an actual apprenticeship, otherwise you would be an apprentice witch like me, or outright a witch."

Her mother nods in agreement.

"Matches my own experiences for sure. Anyway, congratulations on the new class. Want to keep practicing some more?"

I tilt my head slightly as I think about it for a moment.

"I'm not quite sure. I might still hold off for a little. There is some other trouble brewing in town too where a quick level up and the second wind coming with it might be a real life saver."

Now the older witch frowns.

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

I encircle my eyes with my fingers before I answer.

"The raccoon kind. A tattooed gang trying to muscle their way in. Working together with the guard too and dabbling in dreamstone dust as well as if everything else wasn't already bothersome enough."

Now while her mother nods, Brygida is frowning as well.

"That's really nasty stuff, that dreamstone dust, isn't it?"

I shoot the mother a quick look, but she just motions for me to go ahead, thus I answer.

"It is for sure. Incredibly addictive, easy to overdose and incredibly dangerous to even produce and handle. Doesn't exactly make you any friends either. One way or the other, it's essentially a death sentence, both for those who take it and everyone who sells it."

Brygida nods earnestly.

"And with the new class you have at least one … no, two easy level ups to catch a second wind when you have to confront them? Maybe even a third?"

The third level up might already be a little tricky, but I don't disagree anyway. Essentially she is right after all.

"Just about. I'm still glad I don't have to deal with this alone. I'm not the one in charge anyway. I'm just backup."

I get up as I speak and bow to my young teacher and her mother.

"Anyway, thank you once again. I better be on my way then. I have already taken up more than enough of your time as is."

The elder witch is not quite ready to let me go yet though. She nods in the direction of the light orb I brought into existence.

"Say, your magic power, it has to be pretty decent, would you mind telling me?"

I blink in surprise at first, then I shrug.

"Sure. Let me consult my little mirror first though. It's not something I keep a close eye on usually."

I grab the locket with the hidden mirror inside from my pack, focus on my mirror image and trigger my [Identify] skill once again. The usual sensations are quick to follow. First a little of my Mana drains away, then the skill improves a little and finally my mirror image becomes impossibly sharp with all the additional information provided in neat lettering.

It's actually much easier to read everything this time around, with two bright magical lights providing additional illumination. That's something I'll have to keep in mind for the future.

"It's fifty two."

Brygida lets out a low whistle in response.

"How come you aren't a spell caster first and foremost with magic power like that?"

I shrug, as I reply while closing and putting away the locket again.

"It's mostly due to my high charm and spirit attributes. My actual magic attribute is … uh … lame? And well, other things came to me more naturally."

The young witch lets out a sigh that almost sounds a little exasperated. Her mother has a calmer take on the revealed information.

"A combination of high charm and spirit usually sets people up for a career as a priest or priestess. The best combination for a witch is high charm in combination with high magic. And anyway, it happens often enough that people find their true calling only later in life. It's just the way it is."

I nod along with her words and, as I tie up my pack once again, turn to address the younger witch once more.

"Never be afraid to learn something new."

Rysia now chuckles in turn.

"Oh, be afraid. Be very afraid! Once you take the first step on a new journey there is no telling where it will take you. But, never let that hold you back."

I respond with a grin and exchange brief hugs with the two witches, before I turn to leave.

"See you around!"

The response from both is prompt.

"Take care!"

And then I'm off, diving right back into the busy streets and alleys of the city. My next destination isn't too far off. It's the guild tavern by the downstream waterfront. I still have to find out what the grapevine has to say about the collapsed house after all. Thus I make my way there, but I do so without any hurry.

For a change it's neither Jerzy nor Wiktor I spy at the usual place in the back but Sylwia. And as I approach she actually orders a beer for me, she pays for it out of her pocket too, well before I can plop down across from her.

I thank first the serving girl with a nod, then Sylwia, before I take a first sip and finally speak up.

"Well, you aren't who I was expecting to see here, but I'll say I'm glad to meet you anyway. You feeling alright? None of the bruises you sported last night giving you any trouble? Need a little more healing?"

She shakes her head and leans back on her chair.

"No, I'm alright. Well, as alright as I can be when stuck with this job. But I guess it can't be helped. All the bigwigs are busy with the most current developments after last nights events."

I nod and take another sip.

"I was wondering about that already. What are these developments? Even lady Izolda at the keep asked me about the commotion in town earlier. Not that I was able to tell her much or anything."

She snorts in amusement.

"Well, you probably won't be surprised if I tell you that actions have consequences. In this case this means that guard and the night watch are busy arguing about jurisdiction. Strictly speaking, at night it clearly is the Night Watch's job to deal with this, but there is still the issue of the money found in the collapsed building. The guard captain won't say so of course, as that would be admitting he was involved, but he very much sees it as his money."

She takes a sip from her own beer before she continues.

"Oh, and they pulled someone out of the rubble alive. A woman, half out of her mind due to too much dreamstone dust. Insisted that it was raccoons of all things that were responsible. The guard captain might just know what she is on about. There might just be some bad blood there too."

I nod.

"Not exactly unexpected. What does this mean for Matylda, you and me?"

She grins a very toothy grin.

"Oh, that one is easy. The raccoons are probably trying to pull out before this gets any worse for them. Meaning they sped up whatever scheme they have in mind for us. Contacted Matylda in fact, to call us in for another fight some time later tonight. You ready to burst some dreams and ring some bells?"

My own grin easily matches hers.

"Oh, am I ever."

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