<span style="font-family:Quintessential">Xiu felt an odd spring in her step. As soon as Lucius demonstrated the signs that she would need to imitate in order to get steps closer to her first spell she felt a surge of confidence in her chest. Not only did she have mana that would actually work, but she felt that this was a new start. There were no expectations about how she was a prodigy and what she would become if she failed. It was simply that she was here to learn and that fact lifted the heavy weight upon her shoulders. She hated that she was wearing something so revealing, but with her eyes closing carefully she took in a deep breath and began to imitate the signs. Each one was repeated in succession. It wasn't perfect, but she didn't make any mistakes.<br/>
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Her silver eyes glimmered as she looked forward at the orb and she watched as the dark glow repeated but instead of a dark blue, a dark violet took form, an almost shimmer errupting from the sides of the pillar. She took a deep breath and grinned as she looked back at Lucius and a certain aura of pride was clear in her smile. When she tried to do it again, her signs were sloppy and overly eager. The confidence in her eyes dimmed and she let out a sigh. Clenching her fist, Xiu took a deep breath and tried again, this time getting a few signs right, but failing the last one. With a groan of frustration hit her and Xiu shook her head.<br/>
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She wanted to take a moment to take a deep breath and focus but she didn't want to waste time. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and sighed before executing the signs correctly, the orb glowing brightly to that same violet hue from before. Looking back at Lucius she felt herself smile and she let out a giggle. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#cc99ff">"Yes! I did it!"</span> Looking back at him, there was an odd amount of uncertainty as she looked at him. Xiu knew that he would not teach her more until she had mastered the first spell but she let out a smile as she walked over to him. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#cc99ff">"I.. Have something to say."</span><br/>
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Xiu looked down and back to the attire that she had grown so fond of. When she met his gaze, Xiu couldn't help but look away for a moment before nodding to him. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#cc99ff">"I appreciate what you have done for me. I doubt your intentions and what you may want from me in order to serve as payment.. But I appreciate all that you have done for me. Saving my life, and now teaching me arcane knowledges.. I know it comes at a price, but I simply.. I appreciate it."</span> It was odd for Xiu to have such a realization but as she looked at him, there was no regret in her gaze.<br/>
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She continued for a few hours, continuing to light the beacon with little issue. There were a couple times she failed but after the first two mistakes it was seldom that the crystal did not light. Her eyes fell and as Xiu wiped her forehead she felt the sweat on the back of her hand. An exhale escaped her and she stretched her arms before letting out a yawn.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#cc99ff"> "What's next?"</span></span>