7.

Power?

༺♱༻

I ran as fast as I could. A branch appeared in front of me. Okay, Lara. Up, down, to the side. You got this.  

I jumped over the branch and ran to the next. A branch there was about the height to my waist, and as I approached it, it started to fly upwards. I duck my head so I don't run into it. I lost my balance. I fell down onto the ground with all the insects, branches and leaves.  

“Remember, failing is the way to success. You just gotta come back stronger!” I heard Xavier yell from the finish line. I quickly got up and I  started to run. 

An oak tree appeared in front of me. I ran to the left as the tree moved to the right, leaving a little hole in the ground. I started to feel as if I could run twice as fast. But physically I know I can’t. Like something’s chasing me. I started to worry about it. 

I heard a loud growl behind me. Shit. I tried to run faster knowing I can’t. But I tried. I clenched my fists, closed my eyes shut and grit my teeth. 

A purple glow started to form through my eyelids. I opened my eyes to see that, that purple light came from my hands? I stopped running and I think the bear did too. I looked at Alaric and Xavier, their faces were a mixture of worry, shock and pride. 

“Keep going, young child!” Alaric yelled for me to continue. 

I tried to keep the energy in my hands. I managed to keep it in. A purple aura started to form around me. The brightness enhances and my hair starts to fly upwards. My eyes started to glow as I kept the power in my hands. I kept pushing the power to see what it beholds. It can hold a lot of power. Lightning started to appear and it poured down heavily. 

“Keep it going!” Xavier yelled for me to keep going. And I did. As it poured down and thunder started to form on the clouds, I felt all the fear I had for thunder disappear. I felt braver than I've ever felt in my life. 

The aura became stronger. And the bear started to run at me from behind. As I could hear it’s growling  and footsteps. I wanted to fly. Hopefully my power can do such a thing. Fly, power. Make me fly. Please…

It worked. I’m flying! I smiled at my surroundings. Xavier and Alaric looked at me with pure pride and joy. I watched as the bear ran under me. I stopped and looked around and It started to smell after me. It stopped and left, not noticing Xavier or Alaric at any point. I started to calm a bit more down as I let go of the power, letting my feet feel the ground again. 

As I landed back on the ground, I felt a surge of relief and pride as I saw the bear leave. I have just taken my first step in mastering the art of magic, and it's an incredible feeling. 

Xavier wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly, and Alaric gives me a nod of approval. It's clear that they’re both impressed by my progress and are proud of me for overcoming such a daunting task. I can't help but smile at the thought of all the adventures that lie ahead of me, and I am ready to tackle whatever challenges come my way. 

As we all returned to the cabin, I couldn't help but notice the peaceful atmosphere. The sound of birds chirping and the smell of fresh air fill my senses, and I can't help but feel a sense of calmness and tranquility. It's a welcome contrast to the excitement and adrenaline I felt during the training session. I took a deep breath and let out a contented sigh, ready to relax and recover from the day's events. 

As we all sit down to eat dinner, the conversation naturally turns to the day's training session. Xavier and Alaric are eager to hear about my experiences and share their own insights on the topic of magic. I’m  surprised to learn that Alaric was also a student of magic once, and he has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share with me. Xavier, on the other hand, has a more practical approach to magic, focusing on the basics and the strong foundation before moving on to more advanced techniques.

"The key to mastering magic is to focus on the basics first. Without a solid foundation, you won’t be able to reach your full potential. That's why we started with the most basic spells and exercises. It's impo– rtant to take your time and not rush into anything too quickly. Remember, patience is key to success." Xavier said after eating half of the steak he had made and some potatoes. 

"I can't disagree with Xavier's approach, but I also think it's important to explore your own creativity and find your own unique style of magic. Don't be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of what you thought was possible." Alaric said after Xavier. They were both right. I want to explore my own magic but not get into dangerous situations that involve death or serious injuries.

After dinner, Xavier and Alaric take the time to explain the basic knowledge of magic in more detail. They discuss the different types of spells and how they work, as well as the importance of concentration and focus. They also talk about the different schools of magic, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Xavier emphasizes the impor– tance of practice and repetition, while Alaric encourages me to explore my own creativity and develop my own style. I'm fascinated by the wealth of knowledge they share, and I can't wait to apply what I've learned to my practice. The mental and emotional energy had drained me, leaving only a quiet sense of fulfillment. 

With a yawn, I stood up from the chair and stretched. "I think I need to get some rest. My brain is on overdrive." 

Xavier nodded, his gaze softening with concern. "Good idea. You need your sleep if you're going to keep up that pace."

Alaric stood straight, his arms folding across his chest. "Rest well, then. Tomorrow, we'll explain it all over breakfast."

With a light laugh, I nodded and made my way to the bed, my body finally craving the comfort of sleep. As I settled under the covers, the thoughts swirling in her head slowly faded, replaced by the quiet sound of Xavier and Alaric's murmured conversation. The last thing I heard before drifting off was the soft clink of Xavier’s mug as he placed it on the table. And then, with a peaceful exhale, I was asleep.