[center][b][i][color=662d91]Lehariel Leet - the 1337 Mage[/color][/i][/b][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XIpCBQt.jpg?1[/img][/center]

It had been a long day for Lehariel Leet, to say the least. She'd traveled through a dungeon, fought off a powerful being known only as the Fenrir's Herald and its cronies, along with joining a guild - 'The Legion of the Wolf', if she recalled. But now, Lehariel found herself in Genesis City - thanks to the abilities of one of Lehariel's new guildmates. Yet, the day wasn't over, for Lehariel had business to attend to - in fact, a fair bit of business to attend to.

The young mage had split off from her guildmates - she was on their team now, but that didn't mean she was going to superglue herself to them, of course... though getting to know them certainly was something Lehariel was interested in. However, Lehariel's motive for heading off solo was to find a friend of hers. This friend of hers was one of the first people she'd met in the world of Talrae... and was none other than the Mage teacher, who Lehariel had dubbed 'Teach'. Lehariel didn't know their real name, but could only guess at what it was. It had to be something mystical, no doubt.

Through Lehariel's adventures, she often found herself heading back to Teach to tell tales of her exploits. And today was going to be another one of those days - quite a lot had happened, after all.

[i][color=92278f]'I need to pay Teach a visit... I bet she'll be proud of what I did! I beat that Fenrir's Herald, after all... I reckon she'll be bloody impressed. I wonder what she'll think of my new guildmates, too.'[/color][/i] Lehariel pondered to herself, as she hastily headed down the streets of Genesis City, giving passing glances to various vendors - who were in the process of closing up. [i][color=92278f]'Dammit... don't look at any of that stuff, Lehariel! This is my magic money! If I've got any leftover coins, then I'll use them on a new axe, then armour, then whatever's left. It's probably smart if I stock up, because... it's probably gonna get tougher from here on. But when the going gets tough... the tough get tough. Or at least, I think that's how that saying goes.'[/color][/i]

The path to the Mage teacher wasn't exactly quick, but that gave Lehariel a lot of time to think, as she trekked over to pay her  teacher a visit. What arose to Lehariel's mind first was her new teammates in the dangerous world of Talrae. The Legion of the Wolf. Lehariel hadn't had the chance to speak to many of them, but they seemed like some pretty interesting characters, to put it one way. Though... Lehariel couldn't help but wonder how they were dealing with the whole 'die in the game, die in real life' thing. They didn't give up, or hide like cowards. They banded together, and that was something she could respect.

[i][color=92278f]'The journey they're embarking on... it's perilous as hell! Some of them have nearly died, but still they press on, against overwhelming odds! That's what I can respect... and I'm excited to see where this goes. I just hope they're happy to have me, though... I really hope I made a good first impression...'[/color][/i]

And with that, Lehariel continued following her path. The path that led her to the Mage teacher, who she had a fair bit of business with.

[hr]

"Whew, finally made it!" Lehariel spoke to nobody in particular, having arrived at the market - where she often found her Mage teacher. Yet, a worrying and previously unforeseen conundrum arose in Lehariel's mind. Chances were... her teacher had packed up for now! A truly disastrous turn of events! Gazing out through the market, Lehariel's eyes searched for the familiar visage of her teacher, yet... woe befell the young mage, for her search was fruitless. Her teacher had seemingly packed up. "B-bloody hell... I came all the way out here for nothing. And here I was, wanting to have a little chat to Teach. That's kinda a letdown..."

To put it one way, Lehariel was crestfallen. She had so many spells she wanted to learn! She especially wanted to control the fires and the flames, the frost and the frigid! But without her teacher, that was a mere dream. A dream that would only become accessible the very next day, yet Lehariel Leet simply couldn't wait that long. 

Lehariel's eyes once again darted about, this time about the whole area. She checked the nearby streets for the Mage teacher, but it was all for naught... the Mage teacher eluded her. It was likely that Teach had already headed back home. With a sigh, Lehariel began to head back to the inn, where a few of her new comrades were currently residing, as far as she knew. Her magic search... had been a bust. The slightest sliver of hope remained as Lehariel walked off, though, for she walked slow and constantly peered over her shoulder...

"Well, well. If it isn't the young witch herself, Lehariel Leet. How fared your trek into The Hill's Sorrow?" A calm, feminine voice suddenly called out. It was a voice that Lehariel had grown familiar with, the voice of none other than 'Teach' herself. Lehariel had grown to hold her in high regard - she'd never seen a mage as powerful as Teach.

Lehariel, though, took issue to something Teach said. "[color=92278f]Witch? Quit trying to press my buttons, Teach! You know I hate being called witch! Call me a Battlemage...! Even though I'm technically still a Mage. Heck, just call me Mage, at the very least."[/color] Lehariel began to answer Teach's question, a grin on her face. [color=92278f]"Anyways, it went well! I was solo for most of it, but I ran into this group of people fighting some werewolf called... Fenrir's Herald. Long story short, we kicked the shi- [i]stuffing[/i] out of it, I joined their guild and now I've got money!"[/color]

Teach looked at Lehariel for a brief moment, with a curious expression, though she wore a smile.

"Changed your mind, Lehariel? I recall you voicing your disdain for traveling in groups, young lady. Why the sudden change?" Teach inquired, as she adjusted her hair slightly and checking a watch on her wrist. "Ah, I do have time to chat. Convenient."

Lehariel shrugged. [color=92278f]"I... no special reason, I guess. I helped them out, and then the leader was all like 'hey, you wanna join The Legion of the Wolf?'?. I mean... I can't really say no there, and anyway, it seemed fun enough. Can't travel solo forever, hey? So I may as well start somewhere. And... I kind of get the feeling they're aiming for the same thing as me. To beat that demon guy - so they can escape this world. I'm trying to do that, but just because I want to see how far I can go!"[/color]

It wasn't often that Lehariel saw Teach looking confused, but it was certainly one of those moments. The very mention of 'escape this world' caused her to raise an eyebrow in confusion, as she laid eyes on Lehariel, an expectant yet curious look on her face. It was this that reminded Lehariel... she was well and truly in a game, though it felt like life. And some of the people she was talking to, Teach included, were mere programs, no matter how real they felt.

And it was this very moment that brought a concern to Lehariel's mind. She enjoyed Teach's company quite a bit - she was fun to talk to, and pretty wise. Teach was one of the first few people Lehariel had met in the world of Talrae, and where she learnt her spells from. But, Teach wasn't an actual person, as real as she seemed. So... what would happen, when they defeat the one behind all of this, the one behind the 'trapping people in a game' business? Lehariel couldn't help but wonder what would happen to the people who weren't players, NPCs.

[color=92278f][i]'Would the game... shut down?'[/i] She wondered. [i]'They'd have to shut this thing down... the guy behind this is putting people in danger, right? They wouldn't let that just continue... surely. But then, what would happen to people like Teach?'[/i][/color]

Lehariel looked at the ground, deep in thought.

[color=92278f][i]'... We'll cross that bridge when we get to it! That's how the old saying goes... no use worrying myself about this. Yet...'[/i][/color]

"... Are you zoning out, Lehariel?" Teach questioned, with a smile. "What's up with you all of a sudden? With this talk of being escaping from this world?"

Lehariel looked at Teach for a second, then immediately opened her palm, and placed it below her face, as if she were imitating a dramatic pose. Then, she brought a finger to her eye. [color=92278f]"That - that was my alter-ego possessing me! My shadow, if you will - the source of my great power! You'll have to forgive me - my other self believes this world to be a prison, and wishes to escape it! Yet, the great Lehariel Leet won't let that personality escape even the very vessel it tries to command - my own body!"[/color]

Teach chuckled. "Well, in that case - we can only hope that your 'alternate personality' keeps itself out of trouble, then." Teach continued, seguing into a question. "Tell me, though, Lehariel... is something bothering you?"

Lehariel didn't know what to say. At least for a moment. There was something bothering her - the whole NPC situation she was considering. However, she chose to redirect this comment into something else, something one might expect out of Lehariel Leet.

[color=92278f]"Yeah, something's bothering me! You ain't getting your bloody spells out and teaching me all kinds of cool magic stuff!"[/color] Lehariel pointed to Teach, out of the blue. [color=92278f]"I'm gonna be the strongest mage of them all, mark my bloody words! As your student, Teach, I'll go far... I'll surpass even you, someday! I'll reach the final floor, and defeat the guy who lives there! That's my creed!"[/color]

Teach laughed lightly once more. "I can't say I'm surprised, Lehariel. You did want to learn every spell you possibly could, didn't you? Well... I don't have much time, so I'll teach you a few spells, quickly."

Lehariel cheered. [color=92278f]"That's what I like to hear! Now, Teach... can you pleaaase make these lessons free? You shouldn't charge me - I'm your student, and knowledge should be free! You'd cement yourself as the best teacher ever!"[/color]

"In that case, I'm afraid I cannot be 'the best teacher ever'. Just like any old student, I expect you to pay up." These words cut like a knife into Lehariel's skin. How could Teach do this?! How utterly inconceivable!

[color=92278f]"Grr... I won't forget this, Teach."[/color] Lehariel jokingly growled. [color=92278f]"Real talk, though, let's get onto the spell business! I need to be in tip-top shape for whatever comes my way when I'm traveling with the Legion of the Wolf!"[/color]

And with that, the teacher taught the student various low-level spells. Though, they didn't have much time, leaving Lehariel to only learn a few of the spells she wanted. However, Lehariel promised to pay a visit very soon - she still had various disciplines to begin dipping into - Earth, Water, and Air still awaited her, along with Mind... and she hoped to change that.

[hr]

Purchases:
Lehariel purchased - Fire Burst (1). -50 Renn
Lehariel purchased - Frostbite (1). -50 Renn
Lehariel now has - 1257 Renn.