Et bien. Les choses avaient été... mouvementées depuis l'arrivée de Phirra, certainement. Un goblin et son entourage la rendent ennuyeuse, quelque chose se passe entre la fille et le demi-dragon, et maintenant un jeune homme... une femme... une personne venait de se téléporter et s'est effondrée par terre. Au moins, c'était pas ennuyeux, elle pensait.
De tous les Chevaliers, il semblait seulement elle-même et trois autres étaient humains. De ceux-là, l'un était un géant qui n'a jamais quitté le côté de l'autre. Phirra n'allait pas s'approcher de l'un ou l'autre d'eux de sitôt, pas à moins qu'elle ne doive le faire. Il n'en reste qu'un. Suite à ce train de pensée, ce n'était pas une décision difficile de les approcher et de déclencher une conversation.
Notre Seigneur puissant a assemblé toute la collection, n'a-t-il pas?, Elle leur a demandé, en utilisant le titre ironiquement, bien qu'en fait elle était plus qu'un peu effrayé de lui. Sans attendre une réponse, elle a continué, en disant que je pense que vous avez manqué mon introduction, je suis Phirra Darnos, et probablement la personne la moins susceptible de vous tuer dans cette pièce.
Tu veux dire à part moi, pas vrai?
Emerson aurait exprimé la pensée à haute voix si possible, au lieu de ce qui est sorti était une toux étranglée alors que le repas de la mage surpris a essayé de se forcer dans sa ventouse. Pendant un moment, elle a lutté pour l'air, une couleur rare entrant dans son visage de la souche, avant la pensée rationnelle lui a rappelé qu'elle était en effet une magicienne, et la magie a rapidement forcé l'obstruction à sa bonne voie. Avec embarras et malaise à se battre l'un contre l'autre pour la domination, The Prodigy a offert un rire maladroit alors qu'il grandissait Phirra.
"Ajeshna"?
C'était la première pensée qui vint à Emerson en regardant la femme à peau foncée, bien que ce fût peut-être une hypothèse stupide. Pourtant, si c'était vrai, c'était un grand réconfort de savoir que quelqu'un d'autre d'un pays étranger était parmi les Chevaliers, même si Emerson elle-même avait vécu à la frontière. À vrai dire, le mage avait rencontré très peu de gens de la terre lointaine, mais Aurèle avait souvent parlé de nombreuses connaissances qu'il avait faites parmi leurs artifices. Le monde de la recherche magique était étrangement serré.
Ayant au moins assez de grâce sociale pour réaliser que l'étude de la femme de si près était probablement grossière, Emerson a posé la fourchette qu'elle tenait et a étendu une main.
E-Emerson Pèlerin. Mais dans quelle mesure est - il le moins probable? Je ne pense pas que L-Lancelot rassemble un tas de pacifistes.
Tranquillement, le mage maudit le tremblement dans sa voix, mais il ne pouvait pas être aidé. Elle se remettait encore de l'incident d'étouffement, toujours effrayée, et surtout encore épuisée. Il y aurait des jours à venir pour travailler sur sa solide "Knight of Evil" réputation.
Phirra s'est serré la main, disant que le moins probable, pour moi, est d'environ 100% si vous essayez de me faire la même chose, 100% si vous essayez de le faire vers un autre Chevalier, qu'il soit réussi ou non, bien que si je les tuerais, je suis probablement aussi d'accord avec vous les tuer. En dehors de ces situations, c'est un 0% solide. Et oui, je suis d'Ajeshna, même si c'était un pays différent quand c'était ma maison.
Emerson était certainement un personnage intéressant pour Phirra. Le bégaiement n'était pas, selon son expérience, un moyen efficace de transmettre la capacité, surtout lorsqu'il était entouré de près de deux douzaines de personnes les plus dangereuses en vie. Cependant, Emerson avait été invité ici, par Lancelot. Evidemment, ils avaient une sorte d'usage pour lui que pas seulement n'importe qui a. Assez utile pour être utile de sortir de son chemin de contact et de prendre soin d'eux. Plus intéressant, cependant, était le fait qu'Emerson avait accepté l'invitation. Chaque créature qui y avait assisté avait son propre motif, peu d'entre eux nobles, mais Emerson n'a pas frappé Phirra comme le type méchant.
Il y a beaucoup de façons d'apprendre quelque chose, et le plus facile est de poser des questions. Par conséquent, Phirra a posé une question.
Pourquoi accepter l'invitation de Lancelot? Je ne pense pas qu'une seule personne dans cette pièce soit ici juste pour faire partie du fan club.
Le caractère direct de la femme l'a pris hors de sa garde, et Emerson a rapidement mis de la nourriture dans sa bouche pour gagner du temps à penser. Ce n'était pas exactement une situation qui pouvait être résumée facilement, l'invitation n'était même pas destinée à elle au départ, et elle était sûre qu'Aurèle se serait senti beaucoup plus à la maison avec ces gens que son élève. Pourtant, la vérité vautrait-elle la peine d'être racontée? Dans n'importe quel autre cercle professant d'être un meurtrier n'était pas exactement quelque chose qu'on pouvait faire occasionnellement, mais Phirra avait déjà jeté autour de la possibilité de tuer comme si ce n'était pas grave du tout à discuter. Après l'avoir avalé, le mage a tenté d'expliquer la situation le plus simplement possible.
J'ai tué la personne pour laquelle l'invitation était faite. Si je ne devenais pas l'ami de Lancelot, je serais son ennemi en ce moment. Accepter... accepter semblait être la meilleure stratégie à long terme.
Vous pouviez presque entendre le clic qui s'est éteint dans la tête de Phirra, à ce moment-là, comme quand vous réalisez enfin la réponse à un puzzle particulièrement difficile, et tout d'un coup tout semble facile. Elle expliquait complètement le manque apparent de confiance en soi d'Emerson - quelqu'un forcé dans ce genre de situation était obligé de réagir différemment à quelqu'un avec la sécurité disponible pour refuser s'il voulait. En fait, il semble probable qu'il y en ait d'autres qui ont également reçu des invitations, mais qui ont refusé.
Vous avez probablement raison à ce sujet. Je ne vois pas beaucoup d'endroits se tenant longtemps contre Lancelot, et bien que je ne le connaisse pas très bien, ce genre de dirigeants peut être très noir et blanc quand il s'agit de qui de son côté. Pourtant, il n'est pas particulièrement sûr ici, non plus. Mais, comme je l'ai dit, tant que vous ne me causez pas d'ennuis, vous n'avez rien à craindre de moi.
Phirra a décidé qu'il était temps de se rendre à ses quartiers. Elle s'est levée en disant : "Eh bien, je crois que je vais voir, Emerson." Je t'aime bien, alors ne meurs pas pour l'instant, si ça te va. Et avec ce commentaire étrange, Phirra est partie pour sa chambre.
C'était assez gentil, certainement. Évidemment, un effort avait été fait (bien que plus probable par un serviteur que par quiconque d'importance), mais ce n'était pas aux goûts de Phirra. Apparemment, Lancelot était au courant de ses... exigences anormales et s'est assuré d'inclure un balcon. Elle a déplacé son Harvester Ether, qui a été laissé dans sa chambre comme demandé, sur le balcon, l'a mis en marche, puis est allé dormir.
Pour la partie d'Emerson, elle a tranquillement fini de manger après le départ de l'artifice, l'embarras et le malaise tous deux remplacés par un agréable picotement s'étendant sur son corps. Phirra... l'aimait? La notion n'a évidemment pas de contexte romantique, mais le mage n'avait jamais entendu quelqu'un apprécier sa compagnie pendant sa petite enfance dans les rues. Et le genre de plaisir Aurèle dérivé de sa compagnie a fait sa peau ramper plutôt que fourmiller.
Peut-être... peut-être que ça ne serait pas si mal.
La Prodige était bien sûr épuisée, mais cette nouvelle interaction avait suscité le désir d'essayer au moins de connaître certains de ses nouveaux pairs. Les moins effrayants au moins. Alors qu'il était confiant dans sa capacité à se défendre, Phirra avait raison en ce qu'être ici était dangereux, surtout pour un humain normal et très fragile. Alors tranquillement, ne voulant pas trop regarder attentivement, il balaya ses yeux croisaient ses pairs restants, et attrapa un certain homme trempé qui se dirigeait tranquillement de la pièce. Les apparences pouvaient être trompeuses, mais au moins il n'avait pas l'air trop mauvais, même s'il n'était pas aussi accueillant que Phirra l'avait été.
Sur sa route, et confiant qu'il avait encore l'énergie de s'échapper si cela s'avéra être un jugement horriblement déplacé, Emerson se mit tranquillement après l'individu trempé. Aussi tranquille qu'un oursin qui glisse après une marque.
Emerson L. Pèlerin 
If any, usually “The Prodigy”. Particularly foolish people might refer to him as “The Sage” however.
General description

Race
Human
Age
17
Size
5'1”, 95lb
Gender
Both? Neither? It's something Emerson prefers not to dwell on.
Sexuality
Anti-Sexual
Religion
Absolutely none, unless the pursuit of knowledge can be called a religion.
Job
Living Artillery

Personality
Emerson is in actuality quite social in spite of both his past life on the streets, and his shut in years of research and magical practice. Perhaps it was because of this shut in lifestyle that she developed a habit of seeking out company, even if she prefers to read or otherwise occupy himself while carrying on a conversation. A lack of... experience in this department and a bizarre sense of humor means that she does personify social awkwardness.
On top of this, while she loves talking about her research into the magical arts, she's bizarrely tight lipped about his actual years as an apprentice, though that is hardly surprising given the nature of her upbringing. He is only slightly less distant about her years living on the streets of Knell Egg, clearly much more interested in staying in the present. Luckily, at least as far as he assumes, his fellow Knights will probably have no interest in exchanging personal details. Their business was to be war, not friend finding.
Clearly though she has a deep love for what she does. In spite of taking incredible effort to cast even the smallest amount of magic, he does so with great joy. When fatigue inevitably overtakes him from the strain of his actions, Emerson passes out with a smile on her face, clearly enjoying a satisfying slumber. How long it takes him to recover varies, from minutes to even days at the largest extremes, but one will never hear him complain about the fact. His duties in carrying out the will of Lancelot however weigh far more heavily on her, and it is only by ignoring the reality of what her magic is being used for that she can still revel in it.
Biography
 Emerson grew up like many of the urchins lining the streets of Knell Egg: Poorly. Although her lack of nutrition wasn't due to any absence in talent as a thief. Indeed, had he chosen her belly would have never been left wanting in those years. However, he put those talents to far better use (at least in her mind): The theft of books. Literacy wasn't something common amongst his kind, so he traded favors in exchange for education. Food and baubles were exchanged for knowledge, which awakened a voracity in her that still has yet to be quenched. One day a drunk and lost man stumbled upon her hidden library in the alleys of Knell Egg, and recognized her potential as a student. That man was Aurelius The Sage, one of the greatest researchers of the arcane arts since Merlin.
For almost ten years to the day Emerson served under the man, attacking Aurelius' library of research like a starved animal. However, there was one slight speed bump in Emerson's road to magehood: he was almost entirely lacking in talent for the magical arts. Every spell cast felt like swimming against a raging river, and rarely could he perform more than one such feat per day. However, the results were always both precise and powerful. Emerson seemed to grasp the science behind the magical arts like few others. How exactly to coax the power latent in the world around her and change it to suit his needs. Within the (admittedly small) world of magical research, Emerson was hailed as a prodigy, more than capable of even surpassing her teacher.
However while it was true that Aurelius recognized Emerson's potential as a pupil, it was far darker interests that compelled the man to take the urchin under his wing. It was known that Aurelius had never taken a wife or a lover in all his years and dismissed as being far too absorbed in his work. In truth, his tastes were simply the kind that could not be displayed in public. Forced to choose between being thrown to the streets and cut off from any opportunity to learn magic, and putting up with The Sage's perversions, Emerson chose the latter. Ten years of disgust and humiliation in exchange for knowledge that his old life had no chance of teaching him.
There was nothing special in particular about the day Emerson killed her master. The Sage walked into her room, and it was suddenly the last straw, and in an instant The Prodigy unleashed the spell he had been crafting in anticipation for the moment of vengeance. In an instant Aurelius the Sage turned into a horrifying visage of his former self, as his body was turned inside out, with his screams echoing throughout the empty mansion until he passed out from shock and pain.
It was not much longer before the pupil set fire to her former master, and Aurelius the Sage mercifully died.
Emerson stayed there for a time, savoring the moment, before making for the door. He knew there would only be one suspect for the murder, and even if lesser crimes were often overlooked in this dark age, the murder of one of the most well known mages in the land would spark retribution. Still, this was a price that she had decided long ago would be worth paying, and it was with determination that she began to leave the room, intent on getting a head start on any authorities before they showed up. However, she was stopped by a voice. Aurelius' voice, calling out from behind her.
“What? Killed by his own pupil? That's almost as funny as it is disappointing.”
It was then that the corpse, with its burnt and inverted flesh, turned towards its murderer, with a quiet chuckle echoing throughout the small room.
“Lancelot is gathering capable individuals to act as the Knights to carry out his will. Aurelius was about to receive such an invitation, but I now extend it to you as his successor. Head to Moonlake castle immediately, do not delay. This... incident will be overlooked if you comply, otherwise you may try your luck at running if you dare.”
It, ultimately, was not a hard decision to make. Sparing only the time to gather his backpack and clothes, Emerson left the home that for better or worse had grown up in. Setting off towards Moonlake, and trying to avoid unease at his decision at joining what he could only suspect would be an army of the damned.

Appearance
 
Emerson's appearance depends entirely on how he prefers presenting herself from one day to the next. With plenty of outfits to give off both a masculine and feminine appearance, it's a toss up depending on her mood and how long he's portrayed himself as one gender or the other. His life on the run has instilled a habit of very frequently changing things up, in order to keep the heat off his back. On top of this, her hair color also changes daily, almost a source of pride for Emerson. He started training her magical endurance a decade ago by changing one strand at a time until he passed out from the effort. It's still a tiring task, but part of her daily regiment.
Other than Emerson's extreme androgyny, there are a few other features that are distinguishable. While attractive there are signs of malnourishment present, she's not quite dangerously thin, yet, but it's clear that eating has either been impossible or of a lesser priority for some time. On top of this he's quite short, perhaps a result of stunted growth throughout her youth. Whatever the reason, Emerson barely breaks five foot on a good day, tiptoes or not. If pointed out, she would usually deflect by saying all of his growth went into his brain.
Magical runes can also usually be seen running up and down the length of both arms, notes taken when inspiration strikes and the parchment in his backpack is too far away to bother retrieving.
Still, in spite of his love for fashionistic freedom when performing duties as a Knight, Emerson dons the set of robes she's chosen to act as her uniform. An outfit that almost seems to distort his appearance, making her seem taller somehow, and more demanding of respect. Though likely an act, his personality also changes to match his role, becoming far more cold and serious. It is likely a mask he wears, but it is one she wears well.

Traits and Equipment


 Elemental Bolt
The most basic of all Emerson's spells, and extraordinary only in the speed in which they can be sent out. A ball about a foot in diameter of either Water, Fire, or Lighting shoots out of her hands. Limited only by her endurance, Emerson can send out twenty of these in a minute before succumbing to complete exhaustion, although if paced he can keep up the barrage indefinitely.
 Elemental Wave
The more powerful, and subsequently more exhausting version of Elemental ball. A trivial upgrade in terms of creativity, but with undeniable effectiveness. The ball is increased to a full six feet in diameter, and detonates in a shockwave upon reaching its destination. Still, Emerson can only cast them a tenth as often as the former, and will soon require rest at a pace of two a minute.
 Elemental Storm
A very difficult spell to quantify in size and scope. Whether it is affecting an area the size of a house, or the size of a city. Equally, whether projectiles the size of raindrops or Elemental Bolts are falling have wildly different effects on Emerson. Suffice to say though, the situations in which he'd use this over other spells demand a large affect, and it's very likely she'll be knocked out for days after summoning so much magical energy. The time to cast, too, would scale with the size, needing a full hour at its largest to prepare.
 Fleet of Foot
Another simple spell in design, and common enough among even mages of moderate strength. The time to cast is only as long as it takes Emerson to click her heels together three times, and lasts as long as she can keep moving in one burst. While active, he is able to take ten steps for every one that his unenchanted body could muster.
 Relocation
With a bizarre chant of “Seeya Joe, gotta go” Emerson is able to teleport himself to any location within eyesight, a distance that can be either extremely short indoors, or incredibly far if up in the air. The space needs to be safe however, because after arriving she'll be unable to move from exhaustion for ten full minutes, let alone be able to cast the spell again. Once per hour is the absolute limit for its use.
 Home Sweet Home
A more powerful version of the above, where Emerson is instantly able to travel away from danger and back to the safety of a magical circle drawn in his laboratory. Still, while generally safer this is a much more tiring endeavor than teleporting to a space she can see. After an hour Emerson will be well enough to move around, but won't be able to cast all but the simplest spells until half a day has passed, or a full night's rest.
 Earthen Chains
Emerson causes the ground itself to rise up and bind a target, encasing them in a series of rock chains that eventually weave themselves into a cocoon made of the earth. While not impossible to break out of for one of immense strength, the immobilization provides a great opportunity to dispose of the encased opponent in the meantime, or quickly flee. Emerson has never had to use it more than once, but an estimation would place it between an Elemental Bolt and Elemental Wave in fatigue.
 Force Field
Another spell that varies in the time and energy it takes to prepare. Starting with a magic circle, Emerson then proceeds to draw in runes an outline of the area she wishes to ward. Every inch drawn requires an infusion of magical energy, as well as a small amount to maintain afterwards. Still, once prepared the only thing that may pass through is Emerson himself, and with a large expense of energy (more than enough to knock him out for a day) the field can be made permanent, at least until an especially strong magical spell is flung at it or Emerson dismisses it herself. If drawn into a box or circle a roof is added automatically, otherwise the wall stands open at the top, fifty feet from the ground.
 Plasma Beam
Emerson's greatest breakthrough in the study of “normal” magic. A distillation of pure energy that shoots forth from his hand, in a beam that is only stopped once it hits the earth itself, however far in the distance that may be. Put simply, nothing the mage has ever tested it on has failed to sport a new hole running all the way through it, although he rarely has time to admire its effect before passing out. It is perhaps the most singularly deadly spell a mage could employ against a single target, or more if they could manage to maintain the beam long enough to sweep it from side to side. For her part, Emerson does not possess the reserves of energy needed for the attempt.
 Anti-Elemental Bolt/Wave
While almost identical to their elemental counterparts to a lay man, there are a few differences. As with all anti-magic their form is unstable in the material world. Unlike the seemingly limitless range of their normal counterparts, these cannot maintain their form for more than a hundred feet before dissipating. Still, each contains a magnitude more energy than their material counterparts, and should they encounter magic or the normal form of their element (Lightning in particular almost always interacts with static electricity) they explode with devastating results. Almost certainly annihilating anything in a diameter ten times the size of the anti-magic's original diameter. With such a high concentration of energy required each can only be used one tenth as often as their original counterparts.
 Anti-Earth Orb
Ultimately the most powerful spell the Emerson possesses, the use of which might be enough to kill her if she's used even the slightest amount of her magical reserves beforehand. In the sky, a large ball of Anti-earth collects and begins descending towards the ground. At five hundred feet in diameter the annihilation of everything within a mile is all but assured, and it is this destructive capability that has truly earned Emerson his place among the knights. Such power causes great fear, even if it leaves its user vulnerable for days after use. In preparation she must begin siphoning her magical energies an hour ahead of time, and while the process can be interrupted, the attempt would be suicidal for all parties involved.
 Anti-Water Orb
The original version of the above spell, tested by Emerson in secret in order to prove the concept. Identical in all aspects to the original, including the absurd toll it takes on his body. Truthfully Lancelot not had him followed (Long having his eye on Aurelius and his pupil before sending an invitation) and retrieved after the test she would have likely died of dehydration long before she awoke.
 Anti-Air Burst
Emerson immediately conjures a ball of anti-air that explodes before it can even finish forming. Since the ball ultimately has very little substance before it reacts to the material world, the affect is minor compared to other anti-magic spells, more likely to stun a twenty foot area than kill anybody in it. It is half as tiring to use as the other anti-elemental balls, and fantastic for situations where killing a target isn't Emerson's goal.
 Anti-time field
More than any other this spell is “experimental” in nature, insofar that it works, but Emerson has not been able to puzzle out how or why. Simply put, the area that is this deployed over experiences reversed momentum. The faster an object would be traveling the more it is slowed down compared to everything else, and vice versa. The spell does not seem to react to the material world like other anti-magic spells, and it's possible that one who knows what the spell is doing could use it to their advantage in a fight over an opponent who is caught off guard by the sudden reversal of the laws of physics. Emerson can maintain a hundred square feet of this field active for ten minutes, reducing the length of time it can be maintained by one minute per additional hundred feet. Like most magics if this limit is reached than he will need a period of rest afterwards before any other magic can be considered for casting.
 Anti-gravity
Using the lessons learned from the above breakthrough, Emerson has devised a way to use this momentum reversal against the force of gravity itself, essentially enabling flight. It is, in actually, one of the less tiring magics at her disposal, able to maintain the reversal for hours as needed, at least when only affecting herself. The amount of time the spell can be maintained is divided by the number of people its affecting. Still, she has found it to be a convenient and fun way to continue training her magical endurance, and unless a mission is imminent he can often be seen floating without any need to.

This is simply a small selection of spells in the repertoire of a Prodigy known for inventing them. However, the vast majority have no practical use in combat, ranging from changing hair color, to making a person develop a sweet tooth. It is not merely the practical that interests Emerson, but spells of every kind.



Photographic Memory
 Emerson forgets nothing that he is taught, or reads. Events may pass by her notice, but that's usually because he is more absorbed in research than what's going on around her. Sadly this does not include idle thoughts that she might have throughout the day, and her arms are covered in notes to help her remember such musings later. 
Magical Prodigy
 Magic fascinates Emerson more than anything else in the world, and she's dedicated every spare moment of her young life to it's study, and practice. Moreso than just recreating existing spells and effects, he strives to invent new and creative ways to implement the powerful resource. 
Urchin's Skills
 While they've rusted since she was a child, Emerson's life growing up on the streets of Knell Egg has instilled a certain number of thieving talents. These are nowhere near the level of a livelong rogue, but noteworthy enough to include.
Anti-Magician
While not a talent all of its own, as the one who discovered anti-magic Emerson is its sole user in the world. This gives him a distinct edge over anybody used to fighting conventional magic that has not faced him before. 




Bereft of Talent
An almost complete lack of natural affinity for magic means that it's use taxes Emerson to the extreme. Often only one or two spells of even moderate potency will knock him out, or otherwise drain her completely of energy. 
Poor Eater
Whether due to circumstances or choice, food has never been something Emerson has had in abundance. While this has affected her strength less than one might expect (Just try lifting her backpack) he tires easily when straining himself with non magical tasks as well. This, however, is much less extreme than his magical lack of endurance. 
Punch-Clock Villain
Emerson, despite being one of Lancelot's knights, is not inherently a bad person, nor takes any joy or pride in his work. Her service is effectively only out of self preservation, to make the best out of the hand that life chose to deal him. A... very poor hand overall. In different circumstances he might have even fought against Lancelot, but even at her young age she's convinced that her life has no other path at this point. 




Robes of Office
The outfit Emerson dons when on official business as one of Lancelot's knights. When worn, his features become almost imperceptibly distorted, and he gives the impression of being distinctively taller and more imposing than her normal appearance.




The Spell Pearls

A necklace consisting of five large pearls that can be easily removed. Each of which is able to store a spell that can be cast by crushing the pearl at a later time. As a secondary function, if a pearl is eaten the energy spent in casting the original stored spell is transferred into the consumer, at a slight loss of efficiency. 

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