The Castle Guard

10) Magic

Magic is a way to change different aspects around us according to our will” Dracenstark’s voice filled the cabin “ enacted through spell casting and a dozen other factors, it is fueled by what I call world energy as it swerves all around and through us enabling people to do what we call magic. It infuses within living being through what I call the mana core that is connected to every part of someone intrinsically embedded within us if you believe in such stuff ‘the core is in your soul. Theoretically everyone has a mana core yet not everyone can do magic, that is because for some specifically the mages are born with stronger cores capable of evolving replicating to form a stronger better core that is able to allow “Mana” to flow through us. While for most their cores are stagnant unable to grow stronger, at birth everyone has the same mana core the reason as to why some are able to grow is beyond me, but for those who do the cores absorb the world energy getting stronger until at least the age of thirteen when it is ready to evolve and allow mana flow within the body. Due to constant accumulation of world energy such young mages discover their gifts through sudden bursts triggered by strong emotions like rage or extreme stress even sadness, most release a sudden strong wave of energy or flames or stopping things in midair like you, reflecting their current emotion after which they are very tired due to the sudden exertion of energy”

“Your core though!” Dracenstark spoke impassively seeing Darien’s piqued interest from the attentive look on his face “has been dormant and active at the same time..” Darien stared at him blankly he’d been gradually understanding feeling more interested as Dracenstark went on, now confusion clouding his mind ‘How is that possible?’ “It happens when the mana pathways are blocked by an external or internal obstacle” Dracenstark added before Darien asked “For you it was your severe illness that blocked your core from developing through the entire body while growing in itself. Once you were healed a permanent kind of block remained due to the prolonged illness that is until it broke.” Darien tried to make sense of the information understanding every part though still confused in many ways he wanted to voice his concerns but couldn’t think of the words.

Dracenstark seeing Darien’s expression reminded him back when he was being taught the same things feeling nostalgic ‘I think I was even more confused back then it took a very long time to understand everything even now most still eludes me.’ Dracenstark paused for a minute letting Darien process everything then continued not caring if he understood he didn’t care for Darien in fact he never wanted an apprentice the only reason he was doing this was to increase protection in the dungeons after all half baked or not a mage would exponentially reduce chances of “the royal secret” being exposed however ‘what’s in there should remain there hidden at all costs even if it means sharing my knowledge with some peasant-guard I hope to the gods you are not too dim witted otherwise this is all for nothing’ he snarled inwardly.

“Casting a spell activates your core to supply mana weaving it to manifest under the mage’s will according to that particular spell. One needs to have a clear picture of the outcome the mind and the body have to be one acting together for the spell to work.”

He demonstrated raising his right hand in front of him “IGNIUS DRA” he exclaimed while waving it in a circular motion, a spark ignited above his palm forming a small candle-like flame growing into the size of a ball in a split second its reddish-yellow color reflecting in Darien’s eyes staring in amazement ‘I must learn how to do that!’ he thought excitedly. Dracenstark let it stay ablaze for a moment then closed his fist immediately making the flame disappear. “If such conditions are not met the spell would be useless and wastage of mana which like strength is lost easily but needs more time to be replenished, in a fight that puts you at a disadvantage.”

“There are six pillars of magic but the main ones are fire, air, water and earth, the two last ones are Light and dark magic which are irrelevant since you have to master the first four before having the slightest control over the later two.”

“Despite having to learn all four pillars every mage is born different adept to either pillar where such magic comes naturally to them without much effort the best ones though are equally adept to all four” Dracenstark waved his left hand upwards instantly air around him compressed forming a strong gust of wind that went around him from the right shoulder to the left side of his waist forming a belt of air circulating him, then raised his right hand barely uttering the spell conjured a small of water floating on his palm and without pausing muttered “Larik’” the ‘K’ almost inaudible, a small green vine erupted from the floor at its base leaving cracks grew upwards in Dracenstark’s line of sight. Darien was amazed at the mage’s mastery of magic feeling but admiration and determination ‘I don’t care what it takes or how I do it I must know that!’ he swore to himself. Dracenstark having finished his display lowered his hands the water fell down, the wind dissipated and the vine returned back down the floor repaired itself its cracks disappearing before long it was smooth, flawless as if there hadn’t been a plant sticking out. ‘Does he know Light and Dark magic too?’ Darien wandered feeling uneasy he’d heard stories about dark magic none had been good.

“You are a Fire mage!” Dracenstark taking out a small dagger from a drawer in his desk it was coated with dried blood the same one he used to cut Darien’s palm, Darien on seeing it remembered his palms had been cut just the day before. He tried to feel his palms with his fingers discovering the pain had subsided to a faint pinch the wounds though were still there but were more like scars. Dracenstark held the dagger sideways in one hand then ignited a flame the other hand, Darien stared feeling flabbergasted magic seemed to come easy for the mage. Dracenstark placed the dagger’s edge where Darien’s blood was over the flame instantly the blood moved enveloping the dagger then went ablaze.

“I too am a fire mage!” Dracenstark added dissipating the flame; the dagger went off too shortly after. “Does that make us related or something?” Darien asked unbelieving Dracenstark would be related to someone like him “No!” Dracenstark spat out the words disgusted at the prospect of being related to a ‘lowly commoner’ but managed to hide it maintaining his ever eternal poker face “Nature decides a mage’s affinity to one or the other pillar!” Darien sensed tension in the way he spoke not knowing why the mage got upset ‘Nobles!’ he sighed inwardly ‘They act so high and mighty forgetting peasants were also born to this world just like them!’ he kept quiet suppressing his annoyance the last thing he wanted was to anger him even more.

Dracenstark returned the dagger then paced towards Darien “Raise your hand up until your chest!” he did as he was told “and do this…” Dracenstark added waving his hand horizontally clockwise “IGNIUS DRA!” a flame similar to the one he had done before appeared on his palm, “Remember have a clear image of the fire otherwise it’s a waste of time.”

Darien closed his eyes imagining a ball of fire like the one Dracenstark conjured waved his hand clockwise horizontally then exclaimed “IGNIUS DRA!”

Deep within him something came alive instantly as if it was counting down impatiently waiting for him to do that particular spell. At the center of his being something was released it felt like something was tugging at his soul flowing through his entire body with a kind of sensation he had only felt before when he’d stopped that dagger midair. it flowed with a kind of warmth from its source passing through him gathering at the center of his hand, it then stayed there flowing just beneath his skin. Darien opened his eyes he half expected to find his palm empty

A small ball of flame the size of an orange danced in his palm growing to a full fire ball similar to Dracenstark’s, Darien feeling elated looked a Dracenstark for approval noticing the amazed expression plastered on his face.

Dracenstark himself hadn’t mastered that spell on his first try despite being a fire mage.