Arcanus gets up to his feet,he is skeptical about following the man but soon accompanies him.As they walked through the winding streets, the mysterious man accompanied Arcanus back to his home, his long coat billowing behind him. The boy couldn't help but steal glances at the man, wondering who he was and how he knew so much.
The man seemed to sense Arcanus's curiosity, and a small smile played on his lips. "You're a clever boy, Arcanus," he said, his voice low and soothing. "But I think you're also a very special boy."
Arcanus's heart skipped a beat as the man's eyes seemed to bore into his soul. "I saw what you did back in the alley," the man continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I saw you use magic to heal your wounds."
Arcanus's eyes widened in fear, and he took a step back, as if trying to distance himself from the man's words. But the man held up a reassuring hand. "Don't worry, boy," he said. "Your secret is safe with me. It's not every day that a peasant shows magical abilities."
The man's words hung in the air, and Arcanus felt a mix of emotions: fear, wonder, and a sense of trepidation. He didn't know what to make of the man's revelation, or what it meant for his future.
As they approached Arcanus's home, the mysterious man reached into his long coat and produced a worn leather-bound book. He handed it to Arcanus, his eyes gleaming with a knowing intensity.
"This book will guide you, Arcanus," the man said, his voice low and mysterious. "It will teach you the ways of magic, and help you to understand your newfound abilities."
Arcanus took the book, feeling a strange energy emanating from it. The cover was old and worn, but the pages within seemed to glow with an otherworldly light.
"Who are you?" Arcanus asked, looking up at the man with a mix of wonder and curiosity.
The man smiled, his face creasing with age and experience. "You'll learn more about me in time, Arcanus," he said. "For now, just remember that you're not alone. There are those of us who can help you, who can guide you on your journey."
With that, the man turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Arcanus to wonder about the mysterious book and the stranger who had given it to him.
Arcanus turned around to thank the man, but his words died on his lips. He was met with nothing but empty air. The man had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of his presence behind.
Arcanus spun around, scanning the surrounding area, but there was no sign of the mysterious stranger. It was as if he had never been there at all. The only reminder of their encounter was the worn leather-bound book still clutched in Arcanus's hand.
A shiver ran down Arcanus's spine as he stood there, feeling a mix of wonder and unease. Who was that man, and how did he disappear like that? Arcanus's mind was filled with questions, but he knew he might never find the answers.
Arcanus trudged back home, his mind still reeling from the mysterious encounter. As he entered the house, his mother looked up from her chores, a mixture of concern and relief etched on her face.
"Arcanus, where have you been?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of worry. "You're late, and I was starting to get worried."
Arcanus shrugged, not meeting his mother's gaze. "I just got held up," he muttered, not wanting to explain the strange events that had just transpired.
His mother's eyes narrowed, but she didn't press the issue. "Alright, just be more careful next time," she said, turning back to her chores.
Arcanus nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for not being more forthcoming. But he just couldn't shake off the feeling that the mysterious man's appearance was something he needed to keep to himself, at least for now.
Without another word, Arcanus headed to his room, the mysterious book clutched tightly in his hand. He closed the door behind him, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as he leaned against the door, his eyes fixed on the book.
Arcanus's eyes widened with excitement as he opened the mysterious book. To his astonishment, the book floated in the air for a moment before gently falling to the ground. Arcanus's curiosity was piqued as he picked up the book, wondering what other secrets it held.
As he opened the book again, a bold text appeared before him, seemingly written in flames: *"DO YOU WISH TO LEARN THE WAYS OF A PYROMANCER?"*
Two answers materialized on the page: *YES* and *NO*. Arcanus's heart racing with anticipation, he reached out and touched the *YES* option.
The page turned, revealing a new text: *"BASIC FIREBALL SPELL: THIS IS YOUR FIRST MAGIC SKILL TO BE LEARNT."*
A surge of excitement ran through Arcanus's veins as he began to read the instructions for the spell. He felt an inexplicable connection to the magic, as if it was calling to him. With trembling hands, Arcanus began to memorize the incantation, eager to unleash the power of the fireball spell.
Arcanus's eyes closed, and he focused his mind on the visualization of a ball of flames in his hands. He imagined the intense heat, the crackling sound, and the burning of the surrounding oxygen in the air. As he concentrated, his palm began to feel a strange, tingling sensation, and soon it became uncomfortably hot.
Arcanus's breathing slowed, and his entire being became centered on the visualization. He could feel the magic coursing through his veins, responding to his will.
Finally, with a sense of anticipation, Arcanus opened his eyes. To his amazement, a small, miniature flame had emerged on his palm. The flickering flame danced and trembled, casting a warm, golden light on the surrounding area.
Arcanus's eyes widened in wonder as he stared at the tiny flame. He couldn't believe it – he had actually created fire with his own magic! The flame was small, but it was a start, and Arcanus felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and pride.
Arcanus's face lit up with an uncontrollable grin as he gazed at the tiny flame dancing on his palm. He felt an overwhelming sense of joy and accomplishment, as if all his hard work and perseverance had finally paid off.
But as he stood there, basking in the glory of his success, Arcanus's eyes suddenly began to feel heavy, and his legs started to buckle beneath him. He tried to take a step back, but his body seemed to have lost all its strength.
With a soft thud, Arcanus dropped to the ground, the tiny flame on his palm flickering out as he fell. He lay there, unconscious, a peaceful smile still etched on his face.
It had taken him 12 attempts, but Arcanus had finally succeeded in casting his first spell. The exhaustion and relief had finally caught up with him, and he had succumbed to a well-deserved rest.
Arcanus's eyes fluttered closed, and he fell into a deep sleep, his mind still reeling from the excitement of casting his first spell. As he drifted off, his subconscious began to weave a vivid dream, drawing from the events of the day.
In his dream, Arcanus saw the mysterious man he had met earlier, standing tall and proud, holding a gleaming bident. The man was surrounded by a horde of beastial creatures, their twisted forms snarling and snapping with razor-sharp teeth.
The creatures were of all shapes and sizes, from towering behemoths to smaller, more agile beasts that darted and weaved around the man's feet. Arcanus watched in awe as the man charged forward, his bident flashing in the light as he battled against the monstrous horde.
The clash of steel on claw, the roar of the beasts, and the man's fierce battle cries filled Arcanus's mind, creating a vivid and immersive scene. He felt as though he was right there, standing beside the man, fighting against the monsters.
But as the battle raged on, the scene began to fade away, like sand slipping through an hourglass. Arcanus's dream began to dissolve, leaving him with only fragmented images and a sense of longing. He stirred in his sleep, his mind struggling to hold on to the vivid dream, but it was too late. The vision had vanished, leaving him with only the faintest memory of the mysterious man and his epic battle.
Arcanus slowly opened his eyes, groggily emerging from the vivid dream that had captivated his mind. As he sat up, he rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the lingering fogginess.
Just then, he heard his mother's voice calling out to him, "Arcanus, wake up! It's time for dinner!" Her voice was warm and gentle, but it was enough to jolt Arcanus back to reality.
He stood up, stretching his arms and yawning, trying to shake off the remnants of his dream. As he looked around his room, he noticed the mysterious book lying on the floor, where it had fallen when he passed out.
Arcanus's eyes widened as he remembered the events of the day, and he felt a surge of excitement and wonder. He quickly picked up the book, feeling a strange connection to it, and began to make his way downstairs to join his mother for dinner.