Flames of Progress
Raphaello and Lancer finally arrived at the shipyard, the humble place they were staying in to sleep. Exhaustion was evident in Lancer's slow movements, and he immediately fell into the straw, barely able to keep his eyes open.
- Good night, Rapha.
muttered Lancer in a sleepy tone before giving in to sleep.
While watching his sleeping friend, Raphaello reflected on the intense day of training with Lancer. Amidst the intense battle between them, Raphaello had made a conscious effort to reserve some of his mana. He was determined to learn the new magic he had acquired from Bugree, "Flamma Moderata". The description of the magic echoed in his mind, awakening his curiosity and eagerness to master this new power.
Raphaello carefully took the parchment, unrolling it carefully to avoid damage. His eyes roved over the intricate inscriptions and designs that adorned the aged paper. In the first part of the parchment, he found a detailed description of the purpose and possible uses of the magic "Flamma Moderata". The writing was accompanied by a meticulous drawing of a wizard skillfully controlling fire in the palm of his hand, vividly illustrating the possibilities of this magic.
After absorbing the initial information, Raphaello advanced to the section that detailed how to learn to cast magic. He discovered that there were two ways to invoke the "Flamma Moderata". The first required the recitation of specific phrases, while the second, reserved for advanced level magicians, allowed invocation without the need to recite any formula.
Recognizing his mistake in trying to cast the spell without reciting the proper words, Raphaello decided to learn the spell the correct way at the amateur level. Following the instructions on the scroll, he concentrated deeply, controlling his breathing as he placed his palm upward. He would channel his Qi, directing his thoughts towards the formation of a burning fire in his hand, clearly visualizing the image of the fire coming to life in his mind, and then reciting the word "Incendio".
Upon reaching the end of the scroll, Raphaello found the crucial information regarding the amount of time it would take an amateur-level wizard to fully cast "Flamma Moderata": seven days. This revelation reminded him of the deal with Bugree. In the bottom corner, he noticed the wizard's name printed next to the signature seal, which confirmed the authenticity and origin of the knowledge conveyed by the parchment.
Raphaello left the dormitory and positioned himself in an open area of the shipyard, preparing to practice magic for the first time. He took a firm stance and focused his attention on his breathing, trying to calm his mind as he concentrated on the invocation process. With a deep sigh, he muttered "Incendio", trying to follow the scroll's instructions as best as he could.
To his surprise, a small fire began to emerge in his palm, initially measuring only about 10 centimeters tall. Raphaello examined the fire in awe, marveling at the sense of control he had over the element in his hand. He could feel the gentle heat radiating from his palm, warming his skin and enveloping him in a sense of comfort.
Before his mana started to run out, an idea popped into his mind. He remembered the "Ignis Frigoris" magic that he used to use daily in his work with Roger. With some quick thinking, he decided to try increasing the temperature of the fire in his hand, hoping to intensify its fledgling flame.
Using the familiarity he had gained with the "Ignis Frigoris" spell, Raphaello cast it immediately. To his satisfaction, the fire in his hand began to grow and expand, becoming more fiery and vibrant. He watched in awe as the fire seemed to dance in his palm, responding to his will and energy.
Upon seeing the intense fire in his hand, Raphaello thought if it might be possible to throw it. He wasted no time as his mana was already running out. However, when he tried to throw the fire, something went wrong. The sudden movement of his arm caused an imbalance in his control of the fire, and the flame suddenly went out. Raphaello felt frustration seep into his chest, wondering about the possibilities and limitations of his magical abilities. He wondered if it was truly possible to master this kind of intricate control over fire. Doubts and uncertainties permeated his mind, disturbing his initial resolve.
Discouraged, Raphaello decided to end his practice for now and return to his dormitory at the shipyard. His mana was depleted, and he knew he needed to rest to regain his energy and reflect on the day's challenges and discoveries.
...
The next morning, Raphaello woke up with renewed strength. He got up, stretched, and prepared for another day of hard work in Roger's blacksmith shop. As he walked alone towards the workshop, he felt motivated to improve his magical skills and overcome the challenges that came his way.
Upon arriving at Roger's forge, Raphaello went about his usual routine, adding wood to the fire and skillfully controlling the temperature. He dedicated himself to adjusting the heat of the flames, carefully observing each change in the color and intensity of the fire. It demonstrated the experience he had gained throughout his arduous training.
After a few moments of observation, Raphaello decided to enter the store. Upon entering, he greeted Bugree, who had his back to the door, organizing the parchments on one of the shelves. When Bugree turned around upon hearing the greeting, Raphaello interrupted him with a serious statement:
- Bugree, I came to show you what I learned from "Flamma Moderata".
Bugree looked at Raphaello with an expression of disbelief, shaking his head with a wry smile. He couldn't believe what had just come out of Raphaello's mouth. In all his years as a scroll seller, he had never witnessed such rapid learning of magic.
- Oh, of course, of course, you are a great wizard now, aren't you?
said Bugree, with a mocking tone.
- Boy, I'm not kidding. You should dedicate more of your time to learning this magic than wasting my time with jokes.
Raphaello maintained a serious posture, unaffected by Bugree's jokes. After a brief moment, Bugree seemed to notice the seriousness in Raphaello's eyes, and for a moment he fell silent, processing the possibility that Raphaello had achieved real progress in his magical abilities.
Upon noticing Bugree's attention, Raphaello concentrated his Qi in his palm, feeling the mana bubbling in his hands before uttering:
- incendio!
Fire appeared in his hand, surprising Bugree, who stepped back with perplexity in his eyes. He was visibly shaken, the sweat on his forehead showing his surprise at the feat. It was unbelievable to witness an amateur magician learning a spell in a single day. However, Raphaello was not content with demonstrating just one magic.
- Incrementum Temperaturee in Hoc!
The flames, previously small, suddenly expanded, gaining size and intensity. The scene was enough for Bugree to fall backwards, crawling hurriedly and showing obvious astonishment.
- How is it possible? In addition to learning Flamma Moderata in just one day, you can cast two spells at the same time. This is a feat reserved only for advanced core mages. You are ridiculously amazing.
Raphaello finished the spell, and the fire decreased considerably, surprising Bugree, who, with wide eyes and an expression of disbelief, let out an iconic laugh of surprise and admiration. However, his last comment left Raphaello perplexed and intrigued:
- The world will turn upside down.
Flamma Moderata: The user can summon a small flame into their hands, controlling it with precision. This could be used to illuminate dark places, light candles or create visual effects in presentations.
Creator: Valerius Incendio
Note: The first wizard in history to master the magical art of fire was nicknamed "Incendio", a mysterious figure whose fiery prowess has turned into fascinating legend. With his fiery and malevolent personality, he left a trail of wonder and destruction, setting fire to the places he passed, his name resonating like an unforgettable spark in the tapestry of ancient magic.