Morning light spilled through the tall windows of Saint Elyss’s Rest, stretching across the wooden floors of the chapel. Alaric swung his legs over the bed and rubbed his face, waking fully after six months in this quiet orphanage. Six months had passed since that night in Shuru, and in all that time, he had yet to forget, yet somehow the nightmares that had haunted him every night seemed to have faded.
He splashed cold water on his face from the basin near his bed. Each droplet was a reminder that he was still alive and that somehow, by divine will or sheer luck, he had survived where no one else had.
“Move it, sleepyhead,” Rin’s teasing voice called from the doorway. She leaned lazily against the frame, hands in pockets. “Breakfast won’t wait forever.”
Alaric glanced up to see Kellan, two years older than him, standing by the door with a hand on his hip, expression unreadable as usual. Mira followed silently behind, eyes cast downward on the small book she carried.
The four of them made their way to the hall, where Father Corwin and Sister Elaine guided the younger children through their morning prayers. The scent of polished wood mingled with the faint aroma of porridge coming from the kitchen.
Father Corwin raised his voice gently, “Today we give thanks to the Seven Goddesses—Veliana, Goddess of Courage; Cordelia, of Love; Aequira, of Justice; Sophis, of Wisdom; Temperia, of Temperance; Fidessa, of Faith; and Elyss, of Hope and Peace. May their guidance protect and strengthen us.”
Alaric knelt quietly, feeling the rhythm of the chant echo through him. Six months… I’ve been here six months.The thing from my dreams… it hasn’t returned in awhile. Perhaps I’ve finally left it behind.
The prayer ended, and the children filed into the dining area. Breakfast was simple: thin porridge, dry bread, a slice of preserved fruit. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was enough to sustain them. Rin shoved a spoonful of porridge toward him, smirking.
“Don’t look so serious, Alaric.”
“I’m not serious,” Alaric muttered, I’m planning.
Kellan frowned. “Don’t argue with her. She’s designed to annoy.” He paused, glancing at Alaric with a rare hint of approval. “Focus on your meal. You’ll need energy if Father Corwin starts lessons.”
Mira remained silent, methodically eating her porridge.
***
Lessons followed immediately. Father Corwin guided the children through reading, writing, and basic arithmetic, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Geography and history lessons came after, painting a map of Shershia’s lands and recounting past conflicts and alliances.
Alaric listened intently, though his mind often raced ahead. When asked to read aloud or solve problems, he did so effortlessly. I learned quickly because I want to get stronger. Reading, writing, numbers… all of it is just preparation.
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After lessons, Alaric withdrew into a quiet corner of the chapel. The Sacred Primer of Mana lay open before him.
He opened the pages carefully. The world of magic… it is not as chaotic as most think. Mana exists in the air around us, diluted and weak, impossible to use directly. The human body, however… the human soul can store it. Our astral body contains circuits through which mana flows, channeling it to the place we desire. From the hand, from the eyes, from the mind… mana can be shaped, directed, and made to obey.
He skimmed the chapter headings, which only briefly named the types of magic:
Basic: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth. Anyone can use these by casting spells; however, natural proficiency allows some to skip or simplify parts of the incantation.
Special: Light and Dark. Light requires a blessing from the gods, Dark usually comes from cults or extraordinary fortune. Only a rare few can wield these.
Null: Spells for strengthening the body, barriers, regeneration, and sensory enhancement. Anyone can use these. No levels exist for null magic.
So… that’s the system. Basic for everyone, special for the chosen or lucky, null for self-preservation. Simple enough….
The Primer also listed six levels for basic and special spells: Initiate, Adept, Advanced, Ascendent, Sovereign, Transcendent. Alaric’s current book only included examples up to Adept, enough for safe practice.
It’s been six months of study, of practice… now it’s time to see if I can actually make mana obey me.
***
Later, after finishing chores and a simple meal, Alaric stepped into a quiet corner of the chapel field. The sunlight angled through the stained glass, illuminating dust motes floating in the air. He took a deep breath, focusing.
“Creo Ignis Sphaera,” he whispered.
Instantly, the warmth of mana stirred deep within his soul, flowing through his mana circuits to his right arm. He felt it creep along his skin, a tingling, alive sensation. When he opened his palm, a small fist-sized fireball hovered there, glowing orange, steady and controlled.
Awesome….. I can cast it easily.
The orb flickered gently, responding perfectly to the slightest shift in his focus. For a long moment, Alaric could only stare, heart hammering, feeling the thrill of power that had once seemed impossible.
“Oi! Don’t burn the place down!” Rin’s voice came from the doorway, half-laughing.
Kellan’s calm voice followed. “Control it, Alaric. Discipline matters more than flashy tricks.”
Mira’s head tilted slightly, her expression unreadable but keen.
This is only the beginning. If fear took everything before… I will take it back. I will never be powerless again.
The fireball pulsed once, then shrank to a tiny spark, drifting lazily into the air before extinguishing. Alaric exhaled, feeling his heart still racing.
If this small sphere is possible… what if I shaped the fire into laser, or explosion, or a tornado? Could I make it float, split, or move like water? And not just fire… if I can control heat, wind, earth… the combinations, the patterns… it’s endless.
A thrill ran through him, not from victory, but from the possibilities. This is only the beginning!!
