There were still way too many questions that Aeva could think to ask, but she didn’t even know where to start. It didn’t help that this Vashnoruk lady didn’t actually ask her any questions first. It was just back to her again. Maybe she was actually a bad teacher like she said.

Aeva huffed, folding her pudgy arms loosely in front of herself, “Fine… though you didn’t ask anything. I did check my stats, yes. They suck. They’re baby stats. I am a baby. A literal baby. Fast growth or not, I wanna punch whoever made this happen in the nose. Whoever the admins are have a funny sense of humor. Boons or whatever from them will be great, and sure I’ll be friendly, but only after I punch them first to make up for this crap. ANYWAY. Vashnoruk, right? ...I’mma call you Abuelita. It means something in Spanish. Don’t worry about it. So, Abuelita, what level are you and how old are you? I gotta get an idea of the leveling speed.”

Well, Aeva had spirit at least, if not the physical means to fulfill her ambitions. “Well, that was a lot, so give me a moment,” Vashnoruk said with a chuckle.

After a moment of contemplation, she continued, “I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to accomplish this goal, so I’d suggest finding another way to get over your anger. Also, two things. You seem to misunderstand how telepathy works. We aren’t speaking… English, you said. We’re exchanging the idea behind our communications. It’s far more complicated to use in most circumstances. We’re only so clear right now because of the spell circle and casting method. Second, I am not a grandmother. I am not nearly old enough for that to be the case. I’m not even a mother yet. As for my level, I am 30. That is considered rude to ask, though, so be cautious of that in the future. I am 32 years old, truth be told, but I’d prefer you don’t spread word of this. That is quite early into adulthood among orcs. Age is rarely a good notion to tell level, however. I am the level I am because I spent a large majority of my life studying. I only slept every few days to gain Sleep Resistance and spent most of my time using some form of magic or other to raise my stats passively and a few skills that would be vital for long lasting Storm Control and healing sessions. This is not what you would call a… Conventional lifestyle. I was rarely in danger, however, and met few situations that got me a large deal of XP at once, as a lifelong adventurer might experience. There are many factors that influence this.”

Aeva paused and considered this new information, before a grin spread on her face - a bit creepy considering her chubby looks, “So refusing to sleep gains sleep resistance, huh? I bet pain works the same way… hmm… Anyway, well, you have a few options of what I’d want to call you… though I’m surprised you’re not old. Shamans from my world are like… ancient wise-women, sitting on a boat out in the bayou doing like… witch stuff or something. Brewing potions and giving life advice. It’s weird to think of you as so young. That said, you’re still clearly important to my new parents, so that sort of makes you a part of the family, yeah? Well… Abuelita or Madrina would probably be best then. I don’t want to call you my aunt. Madrina is like… godmother, so that’d fit better I guess. So back on the sleep resistance… Can I beat myself to gain pain resistance? Oh! How does magic work here? I definitely want to use magic. Magic is like... primo for getting cheatsie.”

Aeva could feel what could only be a telepathic glare, “This is technically something you could do. However, there are many reasons not to. For one, you are still developing physically. I know you are used to being enough of an adult that you don’t have to take your development into account, but this is no longer the case. You must take your growth into your consideration. Besides, the “self-exposure” method of resistance training gets limited results. It only is effective up to low levels. Secondly, this develops a series of skills that are generally best not pursued. The lifespan of Pain Knights tends to be limited, and their lives brutal. If you wish to pursue your brother, I advise against that. Third, T’Kere has always been and continues to be a disciplinarian. If she caught you doing so, you would have no freedom moving forward. Now, concerning everything else you said, this is not an inaccurate representation of Shamans. Our training usually takes upwards of fifty years. I am technically this village’s spiritual advisor, though I seldom get requests for this service, and I am the primary supplier of potions. This godmother notion is an… Interesting one, but I’d as soon not define our relationship moving forward so quickly.”

The shaman chewed on her lip, clearly thinking deeply, “As for magic… You ask a very broad question. This is like… Asking the doctor to explain medicine. There ARE some basic concepts that aren’t… Strictly speaking incorrect, but anything simple enough to explain to someone with no prior knowledge is very likely rife with oversimplification. Moreover, I can’t provide a proper in-depth explanation regardless. No one can reasonably give an explanation that can effectively encompass the entirety of magic. On top of that, your words say magic, but you seem to have a… misunderstanding of what it actually is. An oversimplified explanation of the mechanisms of magic… is the use of varying types of MS in different contexts and formations to attain specific results. This is but one of three major pillars in terms of resources. You have Magical Stamina, which is utilized in magic, Physical Stamina, which is just as it sounds, and Stress Stamina, which is used and consumed by all forms and even day-to-day life but most important to Psychics. All of these are fundamentally different in effect and function, but can generally be expected to be able to do the same things with enough creativity, devotion, and resources. Though, naturally, each one has things it’s better at. Elements are easier to utilize with magic, physical force is easiest to apply with physical effects, and mental aspects are easiest to impact by psychic powers. That said… Specifying it down to magic, the main thing you need to know is what I said about its basic function, and the ways you achieve this goal. These are called Casting Styles in academic circles. This telepathy is technically a Ritual Ability, which is the strongest but naturally requires the most preparation. Most enchanted items and external pre-prepared abilities fall under this. Naturally, it is nearly impossible to create a new one from scratch in a rush, however. The second slowest and strongest is Circle casting, which this also technically utilizes. Allow me to demonstrate…”

Beginning to gather her energy and deciding on a circle to manifest, the shaman chose a simple earth pillar spell. Keeping an eye on the child as she began to trace out the circle with fine threads of raw MS, she realized the child wasn’t actually watching the demonstration. “Ah. Right. Your sense of sight… Hmm. I suppose your eyes would still be developing… Give me a moment.” Laying down another magical circle with energy strands, she lined out a Gate spell, a circle like a mirror appearing, all but invisible but for the soft light it emanated of multiple colors and the image on its faces that differed from what should be seen from that angle. “Stay here. I’ll return briefly.” The shaman disappeared into the strange mirror, which shimmered like a heat mirage as she passed.

Stay here, she says, Aeva thought, as though I could go anywhere even if I wanted to…

The blurry figure of the Shaman could be seen moving around in a hut that seemed to be full of exotic-looking shapes and colors. If she could actually make sense of what she saw, she’d see multitudinous hanging shapes of what looked to be freshly dead but not leaking strange animals and plants, colorful powders and fluids in jars, and stones of varying colors and shapes stacked in piles in cubbies. More or less what one would anticipate seeing in a shaman’s home and workplace, at least for what little slice of it was visible through the strange portal. Returning with a flask of swirly, dull white fluid that let off a faint glow and smelled strongly of acid, like snorting lemon juice even to her weak and underdeveloped nose, she snapped her fingers and the gate closed with what sounded like the tinkling of seashells. She had changed from her simple white dress in the meantime, to what appeared to be a black, tight-fitting robe without sleeves. It was covered in pockets and pouches, and had loops in the space between pockets for belts. This strange garment went down to her knees and looked almost like a strange toga.

Notably, however, she did not hand the flask to her as she approached, “Okay. I need you to tilt your head back, open your mouth, and focus on suppressing your gag reflex,” said Vashnoruk as she crouched in front of her.

“I am… concerned. Hit me. I’m hype for my first magic potion, even if you make it sound disgusting… and if it smells like lemon pledge.”

This just got a chuckle from the entertained shaman, “I’m sure. Here,” she said as she produced a flask from one of her many pockets. When she opened the small corked bottle, the obvious smell of strong whiskey would hit her like a truck. It was obviously very, very high proof. It had a scent closer to something you’d use to strip varnish than drink.

This got a perturbed look from Aeva, who recognized the smell thoroughly from her college days and many “challenges” where people hoped to make her act the fool. “Uhhh, Madrina, I’m an infant. I don’t think alcohol is appropriate. I can drink nasty shit, I went to college, don’t worry. No booze required.”

This got no facial response from the shaman, who just sighed, “Aeva. You’ve got Enhanced Healing 3. I wasn’t asking. Now open your mouth.” When the infant cooperated, Vashnoruk poured it in and held her mouth shut lightly. A habit, just in case. She took it surprisingly well, at least at first. This “college” prepared her well.

It was even stronger than it looked. It was enchanted enough to enhance its effect without overpowering the alcohol taste.

This struck like a freight train on steroids. This would absolutely harm her young liver if she hadn’t had advanced healing capabilities, above even those standard to her race. Truth be told it was more on par with an orc. Perhaps not at such a young age, but when her body reached a more stable state she could likely regrow limbs, eventually.

She’d be fine. She did not sound like it upon drinking the alcohol, however.

On the upside, she took the potion well, since its horrid taste was dulled by the alcohol. She seemed to respond more to the potent tingling sensation it left in its wake, making her keenly aware of her digestive tract all the way down to her stomach, which resulted in uncomfortable pseudo-retching.

This tingling expanded in a flash, the circle that the shaman had been drawing this whole time completing. It was a highly advanced healing spell, enhanced by the potion which served as a powerful magnifier for Healing Aspect aligned magic. Because of this, her senses shot through the roof, compared to normal, very likely beyond the range of her previous adult form by a fair margin.

The room came into stark focus, every detail clear and obvious even at lengths further than would be normal. The sound of the wind was clear, even though it wasn’t exceptionally strong. She could taste the smoke coming out of the fireplace, and smell the leather of the rug in front of the entryway. The sense of warmth and motion of the air became far clearer.

She could see again.