Coalesce: The Escape
Chapter 28

“About time you get back.” Kylon grumbles, looking me up and down, frowning.

“I got a little distracted,” I set my sword on my bed and took my cloak off.

“Distracted? By what, snow?” With a sour look he stands up, moving towards the desk in the corner.

“No, something a bit more troubling.” He raises an eyebrow at me but says no more. Right now, I just want to sleep while I can. Not that I’ll be able to after that encounter.

Morning comes too soon for me, it feels like I didn’t get any sleep at all. Kylon practically drags me to get something to eat before I have to meet Magister Dalin to start my training. I’m not ready for this in the slightest.

“Kylon... Slow down!” I groan trying to keep up with him.

“Oh, come on! I’m not going that fast.” He slows down only slightly and drags me out the door and back down the hall to replace Dalin.

“Ah, Anyndel! I was beginning to think you’d had second thoughts about this.” Dalin greets us with a smile. I shrug noncommittally. “Alright, this week we’ll just be seeing what you can do now. Next week we’ll begin on simple elemental and restoration magic.”

“Alright, what do I need to do exactly?” My voice lacks any enthusiasm I may have had before. I feel like death, everything is far too bright.

“Be determined. Most magic energy comes from believing in yourself and being determined. Think you can handle that?” The question almost sounds sarcastic, but I try to ignore that.

“I can sure try.” He directs me on a simple stance for casting spells without the help of a staff. I take the stance and press the heels of my hands together and slowly spread them apart, at first nothing happens. After a while a gentle red glow begins to take the shape of a sphere between my hands.

“You’re doing well so far. Don’t let it slip away now!” I nod and concentrate as the energy builds. I move my hands so they are opposite ways now and take the energy in only one hand and push it away from my body. It flies through the air, taking the shape of a flame as it flies.

“That was impressive. Most cannot do that kind of maneuver on their first day. See if you can maintain the energy longer, give it more power, more form.”

“I’ll do my best.” I place one foot firmly in front of the other and start in the same way heel to heel slowly forcing my hands apart. The energy builds more quickly this time and gains a more definite shape of a flame. One hand now. It flickers like a real flame and sends small sparks into the air as it builds even more power.

“Good, good. You already show great potential. Keep practicing, I am going to go get your training staff and robes.” He departs while I keep practicing, getting more and more used to the flow of the magic energy and starting to be able to use one hand from the start. It’s difficult and takes a lot of concentration. Magister Dalin returns with a set of light gray robes and a wooden staff and tells me to go put the robes on. I do as told and start practicing with the staff, instructed by Dalin. We don’t stop practicing until nearly dusk. Drained of nearly all energy, I go meet Kylon to eat.

“How did it go?” He asks when I sit down. I scrub my face with my palms, I’m exhausted. I try to eat, but nothing seems to taste good and I just feel sick.

“It’s getting easier to cast small fire spells, but it sure takes a lot of energy after a while.” He asks more questions throughout the meal, up until we make it to the room. I wash up a bit and climb into my bed, as does Kylon. It takes far longer for me to fall asleep than normal. Even as exhausted as I am, I’m restless.