The Queen turned toward Piper, her voice firm with expectation. "Show him the foundation. He must first learn how to feel mana within himself before he can hope to shape it. Begin with the basics, Piper. I will observe."
Piper bowed her head slightly, though her usual sharpness lingered in her tone. "As you command, Your Grace." She then gestured for Ian to step forward into the center of the yard. "Stand still, my lord. Relax your body but do not let your mind wander. Mana is everywhere. It flows through the air, the earth, and the living. To use it, you must first feel it inside yourself. Close your eyes."
Ian looked at her suspiciously. "Close my eyes? What am I supposed to feel, a breeze?"
Piper frowned but kept her composure. "Not a breeze. Mana is a current, subtle but constant. Imagine it as a river flowing inside your chest. Focus on your breath, slow and steady. The river will reveal itself."
