CHAPTER 10 — The magic lessons (2)
Eldric vayne lay sprawled on the grass behind the dojo, one arm under his head, the other lazily dangling over the edge of a wooden bench his own saliva was rolling down his chin.
He looked peaceful.
Suspiciously peaceful.
"Master!"
Eldric cracked one eye open just in time to see Rowan sprinting toward him, slightly out of breath, clutching a glass bottle like it was a sacred offering.
"Here!" Rowan said, holding it out proudly. "Your drink. Like I promised."
Eldric's tired eye immediately sharpened.
He sat up, took the bottle, and inspected it like a jeweler examining a priceless gem.
"…Ah," he said with deep satisfaction. "My favorite student already knows the fastest way to a teacher's heart."
Rowan smiled awkwardly and sat cross-legged on the ground nearby. He closed his eyes, took a breath, and began focusing — feeling mana the way Eldric had taught him.
Eldric uncorked the bottle and took a long gulp.
Half of it vanished instantly.
As he wiped his mouth, his gaze drifted toward Rowan.
'Hmm…'
'It's been two days since he started properly practicing mana sensing.'
Eldric watched Rowan's brow furrow, his breathing slow and deliberate.
'He said he wants to become a renowned mage…'
Eldric snorted softly.
His talent is average at best. Doesn't grasp theory and Takes twice as long to understand basics.
He leaned back as he put the bottle between his lips and took another shot.
Glup.. Gulp.. Gulp..
'How is someone like him supposed to become a mage of that caliber?'
Eldric sighed.
'And why does he even want it so badly?'
Most kids lost interest after a day or two.
Some gave up after realizing magic wasn't flashy all the time.
'But Rowan…
He hasn't quit.'
Eldric shrugged internally.
'Ah, who cares. I get my drinks. He gets lessons.'
Fair trade.
"Hey, dolt."
Eldric called but there was no response.
"Hey. You, boy."
Nothing again.
"…What was his name again?" Eldric muttered. "Hey, dolt!"
Rowan's eyes snapped open.
"Yes?" He turned around. "Are you calling me, Mr. Mage?"
Eldric sat up properly.
"Call me Master, you idiot."
"Oh. Okay, Master."
"…So were you calling me?"
Eldric stood and walked over, circling Rowan like he was inspecting livestock.
"Hm," he said. "You can feel mana fairly well now."
Rowan's eyes widened.
"So does that mean I can finally—"
"Usually," Eldric cut in calmly, "an average student here takes a few hours to sense mana. One full day to master the feeling."
Rowan stiffened.
"But you," Eldric continued, tapping his chin, "took two days to reach a decent level. And if we count the first two days when lessons started…"
He tilted his head.
"Four days."
Rowan's face drained of color.
Eldric clapped slowly, his face completely blank.
"Still. Progress is progress. Congratulations on clearing the first step."
Rowan stared at him.
"I don't know if you're trying to cheer me up… or crush my soul."
Eldric shrugged. "Both."
He turned and waved a hand.
"Get up. Time for lesson two."
Rowan scrambled to his feet.
"Look," Eldric said, stretching. "Feeling mana isn't a big deal. Anyone can do that. It's everywhere."
He raised his hand.
"The real deal is this."
Snap.
A small fireball bloomed above Eldric's palm — bright, warm, alive. It flickered like a tiny sun.
"This," Eldric said casually, "is magic."
Rowan's mouth fell open.
"Wow! How do I do that?!"
"Simple," Eldric replied. "You can feel mana now, right? Gather the mana particles into your palm and shape them into fire."
Rowan nodded furiously.
"Okay… feel mana… gather it… shape it…"
He squinted.
His face twisted.
His entire being strained—
A tiny spark appeared above his hand.
Then vanished after five seconds.
Eldric stared.
Rowan stared.
"…What was that?" Eldric asked.
"Uh," Rowan said. "Fire?"
"Fire my ass," Eldric snapped. "You can't even light a cigarette with that. Try again."
Rowan tried again.
And again.
And again.
Nothing.
Eldric groaned, dragging a hand down his face.
"Ahhh… this is hopeless."
He sighed, then spoke again.
"Alright. Think differently. Where have you seen fire before? When your mother cooks. That flame. How does it move? How does it feel? Where else have you seen it?"
Rowan closed his eyes.
The hut.
Snow outside.
The chimney crackling.
His mother lighting the fire.
The warmth curling around the room.
Something stirred.
Heat gathered in his palm.
Rowan opened his eyes.
A flame danced above his hand.
"A-AHH!" Rowan yelped. "Fire! My hand's on fire! My hand—!"
"Calm down!" Eldric barked. "Calm down, stupid! It's not that hot!"
Rowan stopped flailing.
Slowly, he realized…
It didn't burn.
He stared at the flame in awe.
"…Wow," he whispered. "Is this magic?"
"Yes," Eldric said. "That is magic."
---
From inside the dojo, two students peered through a window.
"So what do you think will happen next?" one whispered.
The other grinned. "That guy always messes up. I can't wait."
A third student passed by.
"Hey," he said casually. "Classes are over. What are you guys doing?"
"Oh hey, Riven," one said. "Come look."
Riven leaned in.
"…Who's that guy?" he asked. "And why is Vice Master teaching him?"
"Just wait."
Outside, Eldric spoke again.
"Try casting it once more."
Rowan nodded and focused—
The fire appeared again.
But this time—
WHOOSH.
His sleeve caught fire.
"AHHHH!" Rowan panicked as she started shaking his hand. "My arm! My arm's on fire!"
Eldric sighed, putting his one hand on his forehead.
He flicked his wrist and put his other hand on air above Rowan's head.
Water slammed into Rowan, soaking him instantly.
The two students burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
But Riven stayed quiet, watching closely.
"If you're done laughing," he said calmly, "can someone tell me what's going on?"
"Oh," one student replied wiping a drop of tear off his eye. "After classes, that guy buys Vice Master drinks. Vice Master teaches him in return."
"And every time," the other added, laughing harder, "it's a disaster."
Riven didn't laugh. He just looked at the two students then looked outside.
He just watched Rowan and Eldric l through the window.
---
Chapter Ends.