10 - Advancement

After breakfast, we get started. Through Riva, Sylv does her best to explain the basics of magic, and how to draw upon it. I seem to be a natural, as I succeed on the first try, my magic apparently a desaturated red. Sylv levitates over a small metal set of cubes, some kind of decorative piece, and starts guiding me on 'telekinesis'.

This also doesn't take long for me to get right. It seems that as I get taught, memories are coming back, as well as the magic equivalent of muscle memory. I get to see my own magic after a bit, and it truly is a desaturated red. Not the more vibrant red from my dreams… although I don't focus on that.

After a while of learning telekinesis, Sylv smiles a bit. *I was expecting you to learn slower, but it's nice to see you learn.* A quiet voice appears in my mind, and I flinch. “W-wha-?” Sylv giggles silently, while the voice in my mind giggles vocally. *I'm Sylvia, this is telepathy. I… figured you were ready* Her voice is very pleasant, and warm.

“Glad to see that you can speak directly now.” Riva chuckles. “It was getting difficult being a voice for Sylv.” They take a sip of tea, relaxing. “I'll leave you two to it. I'm gonna go to town and get some more food.”
Sylv nods, and looks back to you. *Telepathy is a directed form of communication, although it can be broadcast, unlike a voice only the intended recipient or recipients can hear it.*

Riva gets dressed and leaves, while I stay behind with Sylv. She continues teaching me magic, praising my rapid uptake. She teaches me basic protective magic as well, and demonstrates it by trying to throw one of the small metal cubes at my shield; it just bounces off.

“S-so, uhm…” I speak quietly, releasing my magic. “I… was hoping to ask you something.”
*Hm? What is it?* Sylv asks.
“How did you lose your… v-voice?” I ask, somewhat embarrassed, feeling bad about asking such a thing.

Sylv sighs a little. *I'll try to summarize it.* She pauses for a bit, clearly dredging up unpleasant memories. *I was… a royal guard about ten years ago. There was an attack… on the queen, and the… entire c-castle, and I almost died to… protect her. Thankfully, the unicorns were able to save me… almost all of me, even. My voice is… was taken b-by an uncurable magical a-attack.*

I shiver a bit, closing my eyes. “O-oh…” I mutter softly. “I-I'm sorry… for b-bringing it up, and that… t-that happened to you.” I speak quietly,