The two weeks before the Master-rank Arcanist arrived were the longest of Finn's life.
He spent most of it locked in his room, practicing in secret. Learning to account for the inversion his Error magic always created. Teaching himself to intend the opposite of what he wanted so reality would produce the actual desired result.
It was exhausting. Mentally taxing in ways normal magic apparently wasn't, based on what he could glean from Arros's limited memories of watching village Arcanists work.
But it yielded results.
By the end of the first week, he could move small objects reliably. Could make a candle flame shrink by intending it to grow. Could create a small gust of wind by visualizing perfect stillness.
Error magic disguised as elemental manipulation.
Because that's what he'd need to do. Hide. Pretend to be a multi-elemental prodigy rather than something unprecedented. Draw attention for being skilled, not for being impossible.
He also started a journal.
