I continued to practice with determination, concentrating all my energy on that purpose. On my second attempt, a faint light began to flicker in the palm of my hand, like a spark of hope in the gloom. I felt the magic answer my call, bringing me closer and closer to the target. Inspired by that small breakthrough, I mustered all my will to try one more time.
On the third attempt, I finally succeeded. A small transparent orb took shape in my hands, pulsing with a subtle but steady energy. It held there for several moments, as if awaiting my next move, as if it were part of me.
-Mr. Ravenscroft, I did it! -I exclaimed excitedly, feeling the magical vibration flow through my fingers. But... how do I shape it into a spell?
He looked at me with a serene expression full of wisdom. His eyes seemed to contain centuries of knowledge, and his voice, slow but firm, dispelled my doubts.
-Don't be hasty, little one. Magic is not only strength, but also understanding," he said patiently. Before molding it, you must know its essence.
He paused and, with a wave of his staff, traced in the air ancient arcane symbols that shone with their own light.
-Beyond the four primordial elements: water, fire, earth and wind, there are higher forces that transcend common nature. These arcane energies are light, darkness, lightning and ice. Each is linked to an ancestral deity, whose essence permeates the world and allows us to channel its power.
Ravenscroft's words seemed to come alive in my mind. The orb in my hand trembled slightly, as if responding to the ancestral knowledge I had just received.
-Water, fluid and eternal, comes from the god Jörmundgander, the great serpent of the oceans. Fire, fiery and uncontrollable, is a legacy of Hephaestus, the divine blacksmith. Earth, firm and protective, is ruled by Gaea, the mother of life. The wind, free and unpredictable, follows the will of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered god.
I interrupted him and asked:
-Mr. Ravenscroft, is it really necessary to name them all that way?
He frowned slightly, took a deep breath of air and answered firmly:
-Yes, it is absolutely necessary. Now, be quiet and pay attention.
I had no choice but to continue listening to his teaching.
-The sun, source of warmth and guide in the darkness, belongs to Amaterasu, the goddess of light. The shadow, silent and mysterious, is the domain of Erebo, the god of darkness.
-Lightning, swift and destructive, responds to the command of Zeus, the king of thunder. Ice, cold and lethal, emanates from the power of Skadi, the goddess of the tundra.
Each name seemed to carry with it an echo of ancestral power. I felt my small sphere of energy stir, as if a will I did not yet fully understand dwelled within it.
-Now you will just imagine things and tell me what sensations you experience," Ravenscroft said in his calm but expectant tone.
I nodded, although I did not fully understand the purpose of the exercise.
-Okay...
-Close your eyes," he continued, "Imagine the water of a lake, calm and cool, sliding through your fingers.
At first, I didn't feel anything special, but I decided to concentrate more. I visualized the lake in my mind: the crystalline surface reflecting the sky, the gentle ripples moving in the wind, the coolness of the water caressing my skin. Suddenly, a strange sensation ran through my hands. A wet shiver, as if they were actually submerged in water. I opened my eyes in surprise and looked at my palms, but there was no trace of moisture.
-My hands... they feel wet," I whispered, marveling.
Ravenscroft smiled slightly.
-Now, concentrate on the fire. Imagine the flames dancing before you, feeling their warmth envelop you.
I obeyed, though still confused. I thought of the fireplace at home, of the crackling flames lighting up the room on cold nights. Of the comforting warmth it emanated, of the way my hands approached the fire without touching it. And then, I felt it.
The warmth crept up my fingers, as if I were actually bringing them closer to a campfire. It wasn't painful, but it was real.
-It's unbelievable! -I exclaimed, my eyes snapping open.
-Exactly," said Ravenscroft, satisfied. It's the same with the other elements. Imagination is the key to giving them form and essence. Before casting a spell, you must familiarize yourself with each sensation. Only when you understand their nature can you manipulate them with precision.
His words echoed in my mind. It was not just a matter of repeating movements or reciting magical words. True magic required feeling, visualizing and believing.
That was the first step to becoming a true sorcerer.
-To begin with, I will teach you practical, everyday spells. They are fundamental, as they form the basis for more advanced spells. At this time, we will focus on water, as it is an essential element. You know what to do, now put it into practice.
-That's right! -I affirmed with determination.
I closed my eyes and concentrated my mana in my hands. Thanks to Ravenscroft's detailed explanation, the process was easier than I had imagined. Once again, I visualized that still lake, feeling the moisture spread across my palms. And then, before my very eyes, water appeared floating on my hand. It had no definite shape; it was chaotic, like a messy brushstroke on a canvas, but it was there. I had succeeded on my first attempt. With a smile of pure excitement, I exclaimed:
-I did it, sir!
John nodded approvingly, but his expression remained serious.
-Well done, kid. But this is only the beginning. As you have now manifested, this spell is no more dangerous than if I were to throw a simple glass of water at you. Do you think that would be enough to cause damage in combat?
I pondered for a moment and then shook my head.
-Mmm... he's right. So, what's next?
-Now you must shape it. Magic without control is useless. Your next task will be to mold the water into a perfect, stable sphere. Only then will you have taken the first real step in mastering this element.
-Sir, before we continue... may I call you master?
The elf raised an eyebrow in curiosity before he gave a faint smile.
-Of course, go ahead. Now go on with the exercise.
I took a deep breath and tried again. This time, I concentrated even more on controlling the water. But something was different... As I tried to shape it, I noticed that it vibrated incessantly, as if it had a life of its own and refused to obey me. The sensation was strange, frustrating even. A moment's distraction was all it took, and in the blink of an eye, the water collapsed in my hands, drenching the floor.
John nodded, no trace of disappointment in his eyes.
-Nice try. Really good try. But you need more practice. Try again while I explain a few things to you.
I nodded quickly and resumed the spell, determined to improve.
-What you're doing now doesn't require conjuration," he continued. It is a basic manifestation of your mana, one that by itself poses no danger. However, today there are shortcuts and more efficient ways to control magic that were unavailable to anyone hundreds of years ago....
As I spoke, I managed to shape the water again, but it was still not perfect. The sphere trembled and fluctuated, unable to remain completely stable.
-You can play with the boundary between conjuring and not conjuring. It's somewhere between control and release. For now, focus on holding that sphere of water for as long as possible.
I nodded with determination, but as I held the unsteady sphere, a series of questions began to roam through my mind:
What would my actual mana capacity be? How many years would it take me to reach a truly impressive amount? What happens when someone completely depletes their magical energy. The deeper I delved into the world of magic, the more questions arose. But I knew there was only one way to find the answers: keep training.
It wasn't long before the spell was undone once again. This time, however, I noticed a slight tiredness in my body. It was not extreme exhaustion, but a subtle fatigue that was building up.
I now understood what Mr. Ravenscroft had explained to me earlier: my mana reserve was dwindling.
-I'm starting to feel a little tired, sir," I admitted, trying to regulate my breathing.
Ravenscroft watched me with interest, with that analytical gaze that seemed to pierce me.
-Do you feel you're reaching your limit?
-Not yet, but if I keep this up, I'll probably reach it soon.
-Really? -he arched an eyebrow, as if assessing my words. Then do it one more time.
I nodded with determination. Despite my exhaustion, I tried again. This time, forming the sphere was a little easier. It molded more fluidly in my hands, as if my body was beginning to get used to the process.
-Impressive," Ravenscroft commented in a tone that denoted genuine amazement. It's unusual for a boy your age to be able to repeat the same exercise several times without becoming completely exhausted.
-Really? -I asked incredulously.
-That's right. For most, this process is slow and tedious. Many take it too slow... and others simply give up.
His words made me think. I still didn't fully understand mana, but something was bothering me.
-Sir, I still don't fully understand how mana works. Those who are born with a small amount... does their reserve grow naturally over time?
Ravenscroft smiled slightly, as if he expected that question.
-Yes, it grows... but very little. Imagine it like this: if right now your mana reserve is like a jug of water, when you're six years old you might have a jug and an extra glass. It's not a significant difference.
I frowned, pondering his words.
-So, with training, is it possible to expand that reserve?
-Exactly. The goal is for that small jug to become a small keg... then a medium keg... and so on.
-That means that, in theory, there is no limit to the amount of mana someone can store.
Ravenscroft nodded gravely.
-Right, but don't be driven by ambition alone. While a large reserve of mana can make all the difference in a battle, its overuse is a double-edged sword. If not handled carefully, it can bring devastating consequences.
His words echoed in my mind, leaving me with a mixture of excitement and concern.
I continued with the exercise, trying to focus, but one question kept hovering like a persistent murmur in my head. In the end, I couldn't help myself.
-Master..." My voice came out softer than I expected, almost afraid to break the fragile balance of the moment. How did you get to this town?
John paused. The faint sound of the breeze rustled the leaves nearby as he took a breath. For an instant, his gaze seemed lost in some distant memory, one he wasn't ready to share.
-I had a... strong argument with my wife. -His voice was calm, but there was something in his tone, a well-disguised shadow of hurt. That's all you need to know for now.
His eyes rested on mine, not with hardness, but with a silent plea, "Please continue to concentrate.
I knew better than to insist. The weight of his words was enough to warn me that this subject was still an open wound.
***
The sun was beginning to descend on the horizon, tinging the sky with orange and golden tones. The shadows were lengthening, and fatigue was beginning to take its toll on me.
My movements were no longer as agile, and sweat was pouring down my forehead.
-Drake..." John's voice sounded soft, but firm. That's enough for today.
My legs were trembling slightly, and although my pride told me I could go on, I knew I wasn't in optimal condition to continue.
-You did well. -John gave a slight smile, but his eyes still reflected that distant concern.
The training was over... but I knew the real battle was just beginning. Not against someone else, but within myself.
John folded his arms and looked at me seriously.
-Listen well, Drake. I will train you daily and it will be a demanding regimen. Every morning we'll practice magic, combined with walking and mobility exercises. In the afternoons, fencing. We will keep this up for eight days straight and then devote two full days to strengthening your mind with reading, advanced arithmetic and strategic games. We will continue this cycle for approximately two to three years.
I smiled enthusiastically, although a doubt crossed my mind.
-It sounds perfect to me, maestro. But... won't your wife be angry with you for being absent for so long?
John let out a light laugh.
-Believe me, I'll do better if I'm gone for a while than if I come back too soon.
Still, I couldn't help but insist:
-Are you not worried about being away from her for so long? What if something happens to her?
The elf watched me patiently before answering:
-I understand your concern, boy. But you must remember that long-lived races like mine perceive time very differently from humans.
I tilted my head to one side, still not fully understanding. He noticed and added:
-For your better understanding, what for you is two years, for us elves is barely a breath. At most, two weeks in our perception. It all depends on one's mentality and occupations.
I kept silent. Perhaps I would never come to perceive time as he did... but I understood something important: for the elves, eternity was not a distant concept. It was their everyday life.