Part 1
Half a year had passed since I started studying at this school. Aria and I became straight-A students. Every day we diligently studied at school and after school we learned healing magic. I managed to break my stagnation and started mastering Intermediate level healing. Aria kept pace with me. Her progress was even better than mine. She mastered almost every spell on the first try. She had enormous potential.
Besides this I was also interested in the history of this world. It was quite interesting. It turned out that most spells and discoveries in magic were made by elves. I also learned that elves were the most gifted race in terms of mana reserves. I don't know why this is. Perhaps the creator god loved elves the most and therefore endowed them with large mana reserves.
I just couldn't understand what influenced the amount of mana at birth. I thought since my parents were mages I should have great magical potential. I thought so at first until I met Aria. She achieved more in six months than I did in the last year and a half. Although her parents were not mages. Based on this I could assume that the amount of mana at birth was determined randomly and parents could only slightly influence a child's mana reserves at birth.
I trained healing magic every day. Unfortunately I could only practice on plants. I constantly had to break branches of bushes and flowers to cast healing spells on them later. I tried to use incantations as little as possible. When I use Silent Magic I can adjust the power of my spell as I wish. As I understood it when reading an incantation the spell power and the amount of mana consumed are set initially while without an incantation all of this must be adjusted manually.
— I need to train more!
More training more practice! But damn why is it so hard? Mastering Beginner level healing came easily to me but the Intermediate level was much harder than I thought. Although I was only five years old I had already achieved a lot for my age. Everything takes time and patience.
To master Intermediate level healing I practiced every day but usually training didn't take more than three hours a day. Since I was a child my body had limits.
A thought recently came to my mind. Since I can create spells just by imagining them in my head and directing the flow of mana why can't I do the same with other magic? For some reason I hadn't thought about this before. In this world it is customary to first read a spell and then cast it silently to master it. But what if you don't always need to read incantations to learn a spell? Maybe even without that I can create a fireball for example? It's worth a try.
I went outside. I needed to get far away from home so as not to harm anyone with my magic. I found a great place for my practice on a small hill. From here there was a beautiful view of the whole village and even the city was visible. The weather was wonderful. The sky was high and blue and the air was fresh and cool.
— Let's begin.
First I needed to concentrate and direct the mana flow into my hands. This shouldn't be a problem. I had done it many times before.
— Now I need to close my eyes and visualize the spell.
I tried to visualize a fireball. This was the most popular destruction spell. I needed to imagine what it looked like. A ball fifteen centimeters in diameter glowing bright red. Okay I visualized it now I needed to increase the mana flow into my hands. Good everything seemed to be going right. I already began to feel a slight tremor. I always experienced it with every successful spell. Did this mean I succeeded? Wait I shouldn't relax I needed maximum concentration. It was very difficult to cast a spell whose incantation I hadn't read. I was ready for this.
At first nothing. Emptiness. Silence. I only felt the coolness of the air. I clenched my teeth desperately trying to create the spell and suddenly I felt something warm beginning to gather in my palms. A few seconds later I began to feel mana rapidly leaving my body. I opened my eyes and a tiny uneven flame flickered in my palm. It only vaguely resembled a fireball. It was only a few centimeters in diameter. Well it was not the fireball I imagined.
Suddenly I felt a chill run down my arm. The fireball I had worked so hard to create fizzled and went out. I lowered my hand breathing heavily. Only a faint red trace of heat remained on my palm. When I opened my eyes I had greatly reduced my concentration. Apparently the spell ended because of this. Although the ball was very small I spent a lot of energy creating it. But I think this could be called a success. My theory was confirmed. It was not necessary to read incantations to master spells. But this method was inefficient because it required too much mana. When reading an incantation the spell automatically takes the form it should have. But without an incantation extra effort is required for this.
But even so I was pleased. Now I didn't have to wait until the end of the school year for Alak to buy me a destruction book. I could create fireballs without it.
— I don't feel well.
I had spent a lot of mana creating this spell. A slight tremor gripped my legs. I needed to get home quickly and restore my strength.
Part 2
A month passed since my discovery. During this time I started practicing other types of magic as well. It was very difficult, my laziness constantly told me not to spend so much energy for such a weak result. But despite this, I continued to practice. I could already create a fireball over five centimeters in diameter. Besides that I also managed to create a water sphere. Surprisingly it was easier to create than a fireball.
All this time I kept my activities a secret from my parents. They might forbid me from using magic as soon as they found out. Alak had told me it was too early to master destruction magic.
But the one person I could definitely share this with was Aria. We had already become friends during this time. After I learned that a spell could be mastered without an incantation I invited her to that spot on the hill to demonstrate it.
— Airon, where are we going? — There's a place nearby where no one will bother us. — But we've walked quite far from home, are you sure we'll get back by sunset? — Yes, I'm sure, don't worry so much.
We arrived at the spot where I practiced destruction magic.
— So, Aria, do you know what you need to do to learn a spell? — You need to read the incantation first, cast the spell by directing mana into your hands, and then you need to do the same thing but without reading the incantation. — That's right. But did you know you can learn any spell without reading the incantation? — How is that possible? — When you try to learn a new spell you read it and cast it. Then you do the same thing without words while visualizing the spell in your head, right? — Correct. — But you can create any spell just by visualizing it and directing mana. That way you can visualize any spell and control the mana to cast it. You don't necessarily have to read a special incantation first. — And were you able to do that? — Of course. — Wow, I couldn't even imagine that was possible. — You can see for yourself and try to create a fireball for example. — Okay, I'll try.
Aria concentrated, her eyebrows slightly furrowed with effort. She stretched her right hand forward, palm up, and took a deep breath, trying to gather the flow of magical energy within her. Her gaze was fixed on the empty space in front of her, where she imagined the birth of the flame.
At first nothing happened. Her hand trembled slightly, and her mind was empty. Aria closed her eyes to focus better, and again visualized the heat and shimmer of fire. She felt warmth beginning to spread across her arm, slowly rising from her fingertips to her shoulder. Her fingertips began to tingle slightly, and a faint orange glow started to appear beneath her skin. The glow grew brighter, turning into small sparks that flew around her palm like fireflies.
Aria opened her eyes again. A tiny uneven flame pulsed in the center of her palm, the size of a pea. It was still very weak, barely noticeable, but already tangible. She tried to strengthen it by putting more mana into the spell, and the fire instantly flared up, almost burning her hand.
The flame grew larger, taking the shape of a small ball, but it was unstable, growing and shrinking as if breathing. A faint hiss came from it. She clenched her teeth, trying to hold it, but it was too difficult. Suddenly the fireball rapidly shrunk, emitted a hiss, and went out, leaving behind only a faint smell of smoke and disappointment.
— I can't do it... — It's okay. When I tried to create a fireball, it went out almost immediately, and you managed to keep the flame going for more than ten seconds. — You're probably right. I need to practice a bit to master this spell. — Why don't you try one more time but with both hands. Maybe that will work for you. — Okay.
Aria sighed and stretched both hands forward. She closed her eyes to concentrate, and pictured the flame: its heat, its shimmer, and its untamed power. A slight tingling appeared in her hands, which quickly grew into a rising warmth.
First a small spark appeared, barely noticeable, like a firefly. It was unstable, growing and shrinking, but Aria didn't let it go out. She poured all her mana into it, and the flame began to grow, becoming brighter.
The fireball grew to the size of her fist. It didn't hiss or flicker, but pulsed with a steady, powerful light. Aria opened her eyes, her gaze was firm and confident. She watched as her creation took a perfect spherical shape.
With a loud hiss and a flash of light the fireball flew out of her hand, leaving a trail of sparks behind it. It flew forward for several tens of meters, leaving warm air in its wake. Aria leaned back, breathing heavily. A smile shone on her face. She did it.
— How did you make the ball fly? — I don't know. I just put as much mana into it as I could and it flew by itself.
I was extremely impressed with her second attempt. No matter how hard I tried my ball wouldn't fly at all. In a whole month of practice I only managed to slightly increase the size of the ball and hold it for more than five seconds. But she created a full-fledged fireball on her second try and somehow made it fly. Aria's magical potential was simply enormous! How lucky she was to be born with such mana reserves.
— Airon, I'm tired, let's go home. — Yes, of course. You should get some good rest today.
Part 3
Aria came to our house almost every day. We played a lot and of course we studied a lot. We were sitting by a small stream where the water was clear and shallow. Aria sat with her knees drawn up, looking a little nervous.
— Alright Aria, — I said trying to sound as serious as possible. — Today we are moving from simple mana gathering to shape control. — I'm trying, Airon, — Aria replied, puffing out her cheeks. She could already cast spells but her water spheres were always incredibly large and clumsy. — Gather the mana. Picture it as a perfectly smooth ball. Not a watermelon, Aria. Just a ball for playing! Aria obediently closed her eyes. She sat very still. After a minute her brows tightened and a sphere appeared over her palm. It was the size of an orange, as usual, and was so full of mana that the water around it began to bubble.
— Too much! — I said. — Can you just make a small one? The size of a pea? Aria tried to shrink the sphere but it suddenly flared up and crashed into the river with a splash, raising a fountain of spray that soaked both of us head to toe. We were drenched. I sat there spluttering and blinking with water running down my hair. Her mana volume was incredible but she couldn't control it.
— Oh! Sorry, Airon! — Aria panicked but then saw me sitting there soaked and surprised. — You... you used too much mana again! Aria, seeing that I wasn't scolding her but just sitting there surprised and wet, started giggling.
— You're so funny! — she said wiping her face. — Oh really! Then take this!
I gathered a small, fast drop of water in my hand and shot it at Aria's forehead. Plop! The water was soft but unexpected. Aria gasped but then burst into laughter.
— And you take this!
She gathered water. This time she was more careful but even her "small" sphere was the size of a fist. She threw it at me. I dodged and the water hit a tree, leaving a wet, dark mark on the trunk.
We started running around chasing each other along the river bank, laughing and shooting at each other. Water, mud, splashes. Aria laughed loud and clear, her golden hair stuck to her cheeks. I realized I couldn't beat her in quantity. Her spheres were too large and I couldn't spend that much mana. But I could beat her in speed and accuracy.
I crouched behind a large rock, using it as cover. I gathered not a drop but a thin stream of water sharp as a needle and shot it at the spot where Aria was about to appear.
— Hey! — Aria exclaimed. The jet hit her exactly on the tip of her nose. — That's cheating! You're shooting like a hose! — That's the "Ghost Step Style"! — And this is the "Aria Tsunami"! — she shouted back.
Aria gathered a huge, flat sheet of water that completely covered her. She moved forward using it as a shield. I knew I wouldn't be able to pierce it with my needle and if I spent mana on something bigger I would just get tired. Then I remembered what my father said: "A great mage is not one who can use a lot of mana but one who can use little mana for a great result."
I didn't attack the shield. I gathered two tiny, barely visible drops. One flew high the other low. When Aria approached the rock, I attacked: The first drop hit the upper edge of her water shield with a loud plop! making her blink. The second drop, flying low, hit exactly the puddle at her feet, raising a burst of muddy splash that covered her face.
— Ugh! Airon, that's mud! — She threw off her water shield and started shaking herself off, giggling and trying to brush the mud out of her hair.
I stepped out from behind the rock, smiling victoriously. — Victory! I used only two drops to take you out! — Alright, alright, you win, — she said running up to me. — You're just incredible. You always know where to strike!
Aria laughed. She was covered in water and mud but her eyes were burning brightly. She sat down next to me on the bank and we both watched the river reflecting the setting sun.
— Why can't I make a small sphere? — she asked, her voice quieter and more serious. — I feel the mana but when I try to make it smaller, it just disappears. I turned to her, becoming the teacher again.
— It's because you're afraid the mana won't work. You put in too much reserve to be sure. Our task tomorrow is to convince your hand that all it needs is a single thread of power, not a whole rope. — Okay, — Aria sighed. — I'll try again tomorrow. And now... — she giggled again — we are soaked. Let's go home before your parents see us.
We stood up and ran along the path towards the house, leaving the river and the forest behind.
Part 4
Lately I had been studying at night. Besides magic I was also interested in history and geography. On one of those sleepless nights, Alak looked into my room.
— Airon, are you awake?
— No, I'm reading the history of the First Era.
— You have school tomorrow, why aren't you sleeping?
— I can't sleep.
Alak closed the door and entered the room. He sat down on a chair near my desk. He probably wanted to talk about something. We didn't talk very often. I was either at school or reading books and because of that we rarely spoke.
— So, you've started studying destruction magic?
— How do you know?
— Lyra informed me. She said she followed you when you left the house and found you on the hill trying to create a fireball.
— I'm sorry. I just didn't want to wait until the end of the year so I started mastering this magic earlier.
— You have nothing to apologize for. I didn't forbid you from studying destruction after all. Although I did say you were too young for destruction books. To be honest I thought you already realized you could learn spells without reading the incantation first.
Alak smiled. — You've mastered Intermediate level healing. At five years old. Many students in schools or guilds don't reach that level before they are ten. You are doing well.
— But you won't achieve the mastery you need at school. Even a fire magic textbook won't guarantee you can reach the Intermediate level of fire magic.
He raised his finger and a tiny stable tongue of red flame flickered in his hand.
— This is destruction fire. But in my hands it's perfect. That's years of practice and hundreds of books read. I only managed to master fire at the Advanced level but I have things to teach you.
He extinguished the flame and looked me straight in the eye.
— Therefore, here is our agreement, Airon. You've been in elementary school for half a year. If you finish your first year with straight A's, if your grades are impeccable... — He paused to make sure I was listening. — ...I myself will begin teaching you fire magic.
My heart beat faster. With a teacher like Alak I would quickly succeed in this magic.
— And that's not all. If you show good results, then I will take you with me to the mages' guild for work twice a week. You will have free access to the guild library during hours when it's not crowded.
I jumped up from my chair almost knocking over the book. Access to the library? Thousands of magic books were stored there.
— You will gain access to knowledge worth decades of study. You won't have to hide anymore. But this is the condition, Airon. No straight A's, no access. Do you agree?
— Yes! Yes, father! Thank you so much!
— Then go to bed. And remember: knowledge is power. Use it wisely.
He stood up, extinguished the candle by my desk with a single gesture, and left, leaving me in the darkness filled with determination and joy.