Bryn y her book on the table and looked at Maribelle. “Absolutely, what do you need?”

  Maribelle carefully considered her words. “Is it possible for someone from the surface to learn the magic of the sea?”

  “Yes, that's possible, but why would you-” Bryn blinked in surprise a few times. “Oh. You wish to be a sea witch?”

  “Perhaps, I'm still figuring out what my purpose here will be. Are only sea witches allowed to use magic?

  “No. There are some merfolk that use magic in small ways. A sea witch is one who dedicates themselves to the arcane arts,” Bryn expined.

  Maribelle nodded. To be honest with herself, she was fascinated by the magic the merfolk could use. She would be accepting if she was unable to use magic, but if she did become a sea witch then she could only imagine the miracles she would perform.

  “I want to try and become a sea witch. You've been an inspiration, and I would love not just to follow your wake, but instead swim alongside you,” Maribelle decred.

  Bryn's eyes gnced away for a few moments before she swam up to Maribelle. “Are you certain about this? The sea witches bear many important responsibilities,” she warned as she held onto Maribelle's hands.

  “Then that's all the more reason why I should do this. I want to be there with you,” Maribelle said, gently squeezing Bryn’s hands.

  Bryn didn't respond. Instead, her eyes turned away. It was clear that some form of fear was gnawing away at her.

  “Please, Bryn, at least let me try.”

  Bryn closed her eyes and turned her head away. For a brief second, Maribelle was worried that Bryn was preparing herself to say no. But she trusted that Bryn would make the right decision.

  “Alright. We can give it a try,” Bryn said. She turned back to Maribelle, and while her smile looked genuine, there was still a trace of fear in her eyes.

  “Thank you so much, Bryn. This means so much to me,” Maribelle said before kissing Bryn on her lips. It was possible to contain her excitement.

  Taken by surprise by Maribelle's emotional kiss, Bryn needed a moment to compose herself. She quietly coughed before asking, “Do you have any knowledge about magic?”

  “I know that it transformed me into a mermaid, but that's about it,” Maribelle answered with a smirk.

  Bryn sighed. “I thought so. There's going to be a lot that will require expining. I'll start with the core concept. Where does magic come from?”

  That was a very good question. Magic was a natural part of this world, but what is its source?

  “From within?” Maribelle suggested.

  Bryn cheerfully nodded at Maribelle's answer. “Yes, that's mostly correct. Magic comes from life itself, when we use magic we draw it from deep within. At the same time, we can also draw upon our surroundings. The sea is filled with life, and thus there is a great potential for magic.”

  “Does that mean everyone uses magic differently?” Maribelle asked, wondering what her own magic was like.

  “In some ways, yes. We have chants and rituals to guide our magic, but we all have our own speciality. Someone may find water magic easier to perform, while another may have a strong affinity for enchanting items. In other words: we all use magic in the same way, but our individual capabilities wildly vary,” Bryn expined.

  “So, what type of magic is your speciality? Maribelle asked, though she did have an inkling as to what it could be.

  A slight blush bloomed on Bryn’s face as her eyes turned away. “I may have a certain affinity for transformative magics,” she admitted.

  “Well, that expins a lot,” Maribelle said, teasing Bryn with a sly wink which caused her blush to deepen.

  “It's not just that. Among the merfolk, there are those that desire to have parts of themselves changed to better reflect their true self,” Bryn said, still blushing.

  “Like Joyce, for example. She told me you helped her with her transition.”

  Bryn blinked a few times before replying, “oh yes. That happened a few years ago now. I'm always happy to give my aid to women like Joyce. There's also those who may desire a change in form. For example, an eelin may discover that she may prefer being a hippocampus.”

  “Oh,” Maribelle said, caressing her scales. She had never considered changing her form like that before. She always felt comfortable being a mermaid.

  “And sometimes a merfolk may just want to experiment. Change is a vital part of life, and some merfolk embody that aspect very strongly. It's not unheard of for a merfolk to change multiple times during their life,” Bryn expined, her blush fading as she talked.

  That made sense in some ways. Maribelle could see why a merfolk may be hesitant to spend centuries limited to a single form. Perhaps now that she thought about it, she could herself also ‘experimenting’ with herself.

  “I think I'd like to try that out,” Maribelle admitted. “Maybe I could try being a caecilia.”

  The blush that had started to fade away from Bryn’s cheeks returned. She awkwardly coughed before saying, “maybe this is a topic for another time. What's important right now is that you need to find what magic works for you. It may take some time, but if you can find your affinity, then we can build up from it.”

  Maribelle nodded in agreement. This might be a conversation for more private and intimate moments. “I can't wait to learn how to use magic. I wonder what my affinity will be?”

  “There's only one way to find out. I will need to prepare everything for you.” Bryn paused for a moment. “Does tomorrow morning sound good?”

  “Of course.” Maribelle replied, eager for her lessons to begin

  “In that case, I think I will go and continue my harp practice.” Maribelle was gd she didn't give up learning how to py the harp. She may not be an expert at pying the harp, but she was getting better at it. She could even string some notes together that didn't sound awful.

  “Good luck with that. As soon as I finish studying, I'll go and prepare your lessons.”

  “How exciting. Knowing that it will be your teaching gives me nothing but confidence.”

  *****

  Before Maribelle, on the dining room table, was a wide array of magical sigil, books, gems, and even an ornate staff carved from coral.

  “Is this even necessary?” Maribelle asked, pointing at the staff.

  “Perhaps. Some merfolk may find tools such as these a great aid in channelling their magic. Certain movements may act as a medium for performing a ritual. It's the same with the gems. Magic can be difficult to grasp, and if something helps you cast magic, then it should be embraced,” Bryn gently expined.

  Maribelle nodded, but struggled to imagine herself twirling a staff around in the sea or inside her home. Still, Bryn had brought it along because she thought it may be helpful, and for that Maribelle was grateful.

  “I may have said that magic comes from within, but it is important to remember that it can be guided through chants and gestures. I've prepared some basic incantations that should hopefully help awaken your magic. It won't be easy, it will be like learning to use a sense you never knew your help. However, I'll be with you all the way,” Bryn said, stroking Maribelle's shoulder.

  Maribelle gazed into Bryn’s deep red eyes. She knew that Bryn would always be there for her. Their lives were intertwined in a way she never believed she would experience.

  “Thank you,” Maribelle said as she pulled Bryn close.

  Bryn let herself be drawn in, and when she was close enough, she pressed her lips against Maribelle's.

  “Do merfolk kiss for good luck?” Maribelle said teasingly.

  Bryn softly ughed. “Perhaps.”

  The moment of intimacy passed, and Bryn presented Maribelle with a sigil and began to expin it in great detail. It was all very new to Maribelle, but she felt like she was understanding some parts of it.

  Following Bryn’s advice, Maribelle formed a cup with her hands and repeated the chant that Bryn had shared with her. Hopefully soon she would be holding a small flicker of fire. It

  As she chanted, Maribelle felt something flicker within. Her heart skipped a beat from the sensation of it, but it vanished almost as soon as it appeared. No matter how hard she tried that feeling did not return. She shut her eyes thinking that somehow that would help, but nothing happened.

  “Hey, it's okay.” Bryn's soothing voice called out.

  Maribelle opened her eyes and saw the ever beautiful Bryn holding her hands.

  “Fire magic is difficult for us merfolk to learn. As you can imagine, fire and water do not mix well,” Bryn said, smiling encouragingly.

  “But I found something.”

  Bryn's smile widened upon hearing Maribelle’s words. “Good, that's very good. What you felt was your inner magic waking up. Perhaps fire just isn't your speciality. Let's try something else.”

  Maribelle watched as Bryn took the sigil before her away and brought forth a new one. A quick read revealed that this sigil would allow her to create electricity.

  Maribelle's lips quickly moved as she repeated the chant again and again. She was desperate to feel that sense of magic once more. It was there, deep down within herself. However, no matter how hard she tried, nothing happened.

  “Perhaps this element is not for you. Don't let it weigh you down. Learning magic is not as simple as learning to swim, or even pying the harp” Bryn said, taking the sigil away from Maribelle.

  “You're right. Let's keep going.” Maribelle nodded in agreement with Bryn's wisdom.

  Together they went through half a dozen different sigils. With each attempt, Maribelle did everything she could to succeed, but that flicker from deep within never returned.

  Despite the ck of success, Bryn was still just as supportive, and encouraged Maribelle to continue. Maribelle was eager to agree. If anyone could teach her magic, then it would be Bryn. And so another sigil was brought to Maribelle, and she began a new chant. That flicker she had felt before returned, but this time it was stronger. A chill ran up her arms, and from the tips of her fingers, a small marble of ice began to form.

  This was magic. She was actually performing magic. The power that the nobility cimed was exclusive to their blood was in her very hand.

  A small gasp slipped from Maribelle’s lips, interrupting her chanting. The disruption proved costly as the loose grip she had on the spell began to slip away. She tried to grab hold of it once again, but unfortunately the sensation of magic flowing through her body had vanished. Maribelle could only sigh as she watched the marble melt away.

  Maribelle felt a hand softly caressed her back. Turning her head, she saw Bryn smile as she comforted her.

  “That happens to everyone. Don't let it get to you.”

  “I want to try again,” Maribelle said, detained to succeed at casting the spell. It wasn't magic until she had truly performed it.

  Bryn sadly shook her head. “You will do so, just not today. It's not healthy to become fixated on a single spell. Let's try one more and then we can call it a day.”

  Maribelle nodded, eager to make today's lesson end on a high note. She had come so close to performing magic. All she had to do was focus, and hold onto the magic within her.

  Bryn presented Maribelle with a fresh sigil and a small bowl filled with sand. As Maribelle studied the sigil, she discovered that if performed correctly, the spell would let her sculpt the sand into any shape she desired.

  Maribelle began to chant, and it was not long until she felt the flicker of magic within her. She tried to grasp it so that she could wield it, but it was impossible to hold onto.

  “Don't force your magic to obey your orders. Be gentle, let it come to you,” Bryn suggested as her hand stroked Maribelle's hair.

  Maribelle silently nodded and changed her approach. Instead of trying to grasp her magic, she welcomed it. If magic was a part of her being, then she would embrace it, just like so many other parts of herself.

  “That's right, keep going. You're doing wonderful. Just remember that magic also comes from intent,” Bryn said, continuing her encouragement.

  Was she? Maribelle was unsure, as it was hard to tell if the spell was working with her eyes closed while she chanted the same words over and over again. Despite everything, that sense of a flicker within her was still being elusive.

  “Be patient, you've got this. Focus on what you want your magic to do.”

  Maribelle snapped her eyes open and took a deep breath. She saw sand stir within the bowl before her. She had indeed wielded magic, but in such a small and insignificant way. Furthermore, she knew she should be eted at such an achievement, but at this very moment she just felt very drained.

  “Well done, Maribelle. You should be proud of yourself.” Bryn's smile told Maribelle that the mershark meant every word she said.

  “It doesn't feel like I accomplished much. I almost made a tiny ball of ice, and shifted some sand around. That's nothing compared to what you can do,” Maribelle replied, her voice forlorn.

  “Oh Maribelle. We all have to start from somewhere. Even I was in your position once,” Bryn said before gently kissing Maribelle's forehead. “Don't be so hard on yourself.

  “Thank you.” Maribelle smiled, her confidence returning to her. Bryn was right, she did have to start somewhere, and for someone who had never practised any form of magic, shifting some sand around was actually quite impressive. She just needed to be patient.

  “Things will go much quicker when we find your affinity,” Bryn expined. “Now, how about we stop for today and get something to eat?”

  Maribelle eagerly nodded, she had not realised just how hungry her training had made her.

  “Can we visit Torya's pce?” Maribelle asked.

  Bryn grinned, showing off her beautiful fangs. “Of course, I was thinking about going out for food anyway.”

  “Wonderful.” Maribelle's lessons could wait. Right now, what she wanted most now was to enjoy a delicious meal with the mershark she loved.

  *****

  Later that night, Maribelle stirred from her sleep. Something within her dream had disturbed her. Suspended between dream and reality, she reached out for Bryn. However, there was no sign of her lover. With one eye half open, Maribelle tried to search her room for Bryn, but it was far too dark to see anything.

  Light. She needed light. Something flickered deep within Maribelle, and moments ter that flicker blossomed into something brighter.

  From the tips of Maribelle’s fingers, a small ball of light emerged and drifted just above the bed.

  Now that there was light, the still very sleepy Maribelle could finally search her surroundings. No sign of Bryn. In fact, it didn't seem like Bryn had entered the bedroom yet.

  Putting a hand over her mouth, Maribelle stifled a yawn, and with a zy wave of her hand, she dismissed the ball of light. Even its dim glow was too bright for her eyes.

  Rexing back under the bedsheets, Maribelle knew there was nothing to be afraid of, Bryn was likely still studying. She'd go to bed when she was ready. Besides, the memory of the dream had already disappeared into smoke.

  With a zy stretch of her tail, Maribelle felt herself drifting back to sleep.