Star Trail

CHAPTER 9 Three Spells

When the expedition returned to the Moonlight Academy, the atmosphere was nothing like what Rai had expected. Master Anom brought him straight to Headmistress Laila's office while the other students returned to their dormitories.

Headmistress Laila listened to Rai's account of the silver tree and his father's message with an expression he couldn't read. When he finished, she stood and walked to the window.

"Starlight," she repeated softly. "Your father spoke that name."

"Is it real?" Rai asked.

She turned to face him. "The Starlight is an energy source older than the Moonlight. Legend says it was the first light ever created in this world. But it has been lost for hundreds of years. No one knows where it is."

"Then how am I supposed to find it?" A thread of frustration crept into Rai's voice.

Headmistress Laila sat back down. "There is an ancient book in the Academy's library. It was written by the founder of this Academy, and inside it are clues about the Starlight. But the book is locked. Only someone who possesses the key can open it."

"Where is the key?"

She looked at him for a long beat. "The key is inside you, Rai. It is your own source. But to unlock the book, you must master at least three advanced spells. And that will take time."

Rai felt frustration and hope tangle together in his chest. Three advanced spells. He was still at the beginner level. How long would that take?

"One semester," Headmistress Laila said, as though reading his thoughts. "If you study hard, one semester should be enough."

One semester. Six months. Rai clenched his fists. He had already waited twelve years. Six more months was nothing.

The next day, Rai returned to his Academy routine. But now every lesson felt more important. Every spell he learned brought him one step closer.

Master Anom gave Rai extra training sessions. They practiced in the Academy's highest tower, a place accessible only to select students and faculty.

"Three spells you must master," Master Anom said, writing on the chalkboard. "First, the Mind Shield — a protective barrier that guards your thoughts from outside influence. Second, the Light Bridge — a transportation spell that allows you to move from one place to another using light. Third, and the most difficult, the Source Calling — a spell that unleashes the full power of your source all at once."

"Why is Source Calling the hardest?" Rai asked.

Master Anom fixed him with a serious look. "Because your source is a piece of your soul. Unleashing it completely means opening your soul entirely. If you're not ready, you could lose yourself."

Rai swallowed. But his resolve didn't waver. "I'm ready, Master."

Master Anom gave a thin smile. "Your father used to say the same thing. And he succeeded." He patted Rai's shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, child. I've already seen it."

That night, Rai practiced alone in his room. He closed his eyes, felt his source, and began to call it outward. The golden glow appeared, brighter than usual. He shaped it, directed it, tried to form a shield around his mind.

It failed. The light burst like a soap bubble.

He tried again. Failed again.

And again. And again.

Until finally, after who knew how many attempts, the light held. Faint, flickering, but there. His first Mind Shield.

Rai opened his eyes. A wide smile spread across his face. The first step was taken.