A Lesson on Attunement

After the feast in the main hall, the students returned to their assigned dormitories. Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere was tense, with many casting dark, scrutinizing glances at Riniock.

 Their constant hostility gnawed at his focus, making it impossible to concentrate on training. Frustrated, he surrendered to sleep.

 As his consciousness slipped away, his thoughts lingered not on the humiliation but on the arch-maegi's and Gieller's words – the fleeting mention of the tempest elements. For all Gieller's distasteful theatrics, the professor had unwittingly provided Riniock with a powerful harnessing technique, one that aligned perfectly with unlocking the secrets of the tempest elements.

 Tomorrow, I must return to the library.

 Morning arrived swiftly, the usual routine unfolding as it had every day before. The senior maegi stormed into the dorm room, though this time, only a few acolytes were caught unprepared.

 'Good!' he announced with a satisfied tone. 'It seems there's still hope for you lot to make something of yourselves. Off you go – Professor Rhetrick is waiting.'

 If there was one lesson Riniock anticipated eagerly, it was this one. Following their instruction on harnessing and refinement, today's Magick and Mechanics class promised to introduce a crucial concept:

 'Attunement!' Professor Rhetrick declared, gesturing dramatically to an array of items floating midair.' A magickal bond formed between a maegi – such as myself, and Mr. Tolgir here – and constructs imbued with magickal properties. While you miserable lot can still perform the process, your classmate here could do it in a way that is easier, and more efficient.'

 Riniock's shoulders tensed, his head lowering as he felt the simmering weight of his classmates' hostile glares. If the scrutiny wasn't oppressive enough, Rhetrick seemed determined to amplify it, highlighting Riniock's rapid progress in a way that only deepened the rift.

 'By pouring constant and steady flows of odh, you can carve your odh signature into the item you wish to attune to,' Professor Rhetrick explained.

 This was the exact same principle Gatekeeper Lazrus had taught Riniock previously. The mechanics of attunement weren't new to him – and they weren't the reason for his eager anticipation of this lesson. It was the second half of the class that truly held his interest.

 'Why do we need attunement?' the professor posed rhetorically. 'An intriguing question, one might say –'

 Before he could finish, Niann interjected, 'An attuned item works best in the hands of its owner. If someone uses an item that's unattuned or attuned to another person, there's a risk of backlash, and the item itself could be damaged and perhaps beyond repair.'

 Professor Rhetrick hissed, his expression tight. 'Thank you, Mr. Nodahr, for your insightful interruption. While your timing is obnoxious, your explanation is correct.'

 Professor Rhetrick moved to the display of items, his fingers grazing each one as he began his explanation.

 'Focus your fleeting attention here. These are three magickal items. The first is unattuned, the second is attuned to a staff member here at the college, and the third is attuned to me.'

 He picked up the item attuned to him – a small sphere, roughly the size of a fist. 'This sphere is defensive in nature. Because it's attuned to me, it will function without any risk of failure.' He activated the sphere effortlessly, and a protective layer shimmered into existence around him.

 Next, he reached for the unattuned item, a stone with a faint glimmer. 'If I attempt to use this one, it might respond, but…' As he poured odh into it, the stone flared brightly, momentarily blinding the class. When the light faded, the stone had cracked slightly. 'As I expected,' he said, returning it to its place.

 Finally, he grasped the third item – a green-tinted, exotic feather attuned to someone else. 'Now, observe carefully. If I use this recklessly, the backlash could be severe. Never do this unless absolutely necessary.'

 With that warning, Rhetrick swiped the feather across his palm, drawing a thin line of blood. He hesitated, then began channelling odh into it. The feather suddenly shot from his grasp, embedding itself in the ceiling. Simultaneously, a chaotic ripple surged through the flow of odh in the room, and Rhetrick doubled over, groaning in pain, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

 'I-I hope this demonstration has made the risks clear,' he said, his voice strained. Using telekinesis, he retrieved the feather and returned it to its display.

 'To practice, I've provided each of you with an Arcane Tome for attunement. This exercise will improve your attunement skills and lay the groundwork for casting spells. These tomes, worn and tattered as they may be, are your first tools for memorising, inscribing, and ultimately wielding magick. I strongly advise you to take this exercise seriously.'

 With a wave of his arm, he directed the students to a pile of tomes. As they each selected one, Rhetrick lowered himself to the floor, crossing his legs with a wince.

 'I need to meditate to recover from this injury. I expect not to find anyone slacking when I'm done.'

 Riniock seized the arcane tome with a thrill of anticipation. This was the moment he'd been waiting for. Now that he possessed the tome and had formed his vessel, all he needed was a spell – and he could cast it. Hence the reason he was delighted to hear about the tempest elements.

 Settling onto the plush cushions, he placed the tome before him. His previous experience made the attunement process smooth and effortless. A surge of satisfaction swelled within him as the bond solidified. Without hesitation, he stood and strode purposefully towards the door.

 'Riniock? Where are you going?' Niann called out, still struggling with his own attunement.

 'The library. See you later.'

 'What about Professor Rhetrick?' Niann asked, glancing nervously at their meditating instructor.

 'Tell him I've finished and went to the library.'

 'Are you sure?'

 'Yeah. We'll talk when I get back.'

 The door closed behind him, and murmurs erupted across the room. The air bristled with resentment and envy. A few students viewed his accomplishments with admiration, but they were vastly outnumbered by those who simmered with disdain.

 Niann clenched his fists, his determination igniting. I need to catch up, he thought. I can't let Riniock get too far ahead.