Always eager to show off, Alistair clambered to his feet and glared at three tall posts a few yards away. He took a moment to find his stance and focus his magic, and then with a sharp strike of his arm, a gust of air so sharp it sang as it cut through the air went streaking towards the posts.

In the quiet that followed, three loud bangs could be heard as each post was severed and the top halves came crashing down. Alistair looked on happily.

Lance sucked his pencil thoughtfully. "You've figured out some form manipulation too, huh?"

"Yeah, But it could be better couldn't it?"

"Hm?"

"You said there were different grades of manipulation for both nature and form. What would happen if you used the highest grade of form manipulation with the highest grade of nature manipulation?"

"Something catastrophic no doubt. It could work in theory, but first you'd have to figure out what exactly the highest form is. I doubt even you could figure it out and be able to control it, let alone imbue it with nature."

"I bet I could."

"Egotism doesn't suit you, Alistair, no matter how deserved." Lance stood up to leave.

"Lance?"

"It's a nice day, Alistair. Don't you have anything fun planned? Worry less about your training and go have fun. Chase some girls. Figure out how to avoid being punched-"

"But-"

"I think I need to do some more research for my book."