Training

As I slept, my dreams were vibrant and filled with energy. Swirling colors and shapes formed patterns of elemental magic, each one more intricate than the last. I saw myself standing in a vast field, surrounded by towering flames, swirling water, and gusting winds. The earth beneath my feet felt alive, pulsing with mana.

In this dreamscape, I practiced controlling the elements. Flames danced at my fingertips, water flowed through my hands, and I directed gusts of wind with mere thoughts. The sensations were exhilarating and felt almost real. 

Soon, morning came with the gentle light of dawn filtering through the window. I stretched, feeling a sense of renewal and readiness for the day ahead. After a quick wash, I donned fresh clothes and made my way downstairs to meet Aria. The common room of the inn was already bustling with early risers and the smell of freshly baked bread filled the air.

Aria was seated at a corner table, a steaming cup of tea in front of her. She looked up and smiled as I approached. "Good morning," she greeted. "How do you feel?"

"Surprisingly good," I replied, taking a seat across from her. "Those exercises last night really made a difference."

"That's good to hear," she said. "We have a lot to cover today. But first, let's eat. We'll need our strength."

We enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and I could feel my energy levels rising with each bite. After we finished, Aria led me outside. The town of Haven was slowly coming to life, its streets filled with merchants setting up stalls and children playing. The tranquility was deceptive, given the underlying tensions we had witnessed.

"Today, we'll practice more advanced mana control and some basic spells," Aria explained as we walked to a secluded area on the outskirts of town. "The first step is to refine your ability to manipulate elemental mana."

We arrived at a clearing surrounded by trees, the perfect place to practice without attracting unwanted attention. Aria instructed me to sit cross-legged on the ground and close my eyes.

"Remember what we did last night," she said. "Focus on your breath, absorb the mana around you, and let it flow into your core. Once you feel the energy, we'll begin with fire magic."

I did as instructed, feeling the familiar tingling sensation as I drew in the ambient mana. The warmth spread through my body, pooling in my core. With Aria's guidance, I visualized the energy flowing through my arm and into my hand, forming a small flame.

"Now, try to shape the flame," Aria instructed. "Imagine it growing larger, or changing form. The key is to maintain control and not let the mana dissipate."

I focused intently, but my flame stayed the same size. It flickered and danced, responding to my will but didn't grow or change. I imagined it taking the shape of a small bird, but nothing occurred. 

I looked down at my hand in disappointment. "So you explained the basic fire magic, is this sort of method how you learn all magic. As it's not working right now."

"Not quit," Aria said, settling into a comfortable position across from me. "In the past, magicians relied heavily on magic arrays. These arrays, once drawn, could be used repeatedly and were essential for casting complex spells. However, the process was time-consuming and not practical in the heat of battle."

She paused, allowing the information to sink in. "Incantations, on the other hand, became the norm because they reduced the time needed to cast spells. A skilled magician named Elara discovered a way to shorten incantation times, making it possible to use basic spells in mere seconds."

"That sounds incredibly useful," I remarked. "But what about more advanced spells?"

"Advanced spells still require either longer incantations or the use of magic arrays," Aria explained. "True masters of magic can cast these spells without incantations, relying solely on their deep understanding and control of mana."

She extended her hand, and a complex pattern of glowing symbols appeared in the air. The intricate design pulsed with a vibrant red light. "This is a high-level fire magic array," she said. "Watch closely."

With a flick of her wrist, the symbols coalesced into a brilliant ball of flame that hovered above her palm. The heat radiating from it was intense, and I could feel the raw power contained within the spell. Aria closed her hand, and the flame dissipated, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke.

"Wow," I breathed, awe-struck. "Will I be able to do that someday?"

Aria smiled. "With practice and dedication, yes. For now, let's focus on the basics of incantations."

She handed me a small, leather-bound book. "This contains a few basic incantations. Start with the simplest one and practice it until you can cast the spell effortlessly."

I opened the book and scanned the first incantation. It was a simple spell to create a small burst of flame, similar to what I had done before but with a spoken component. I began to practice, speaking the words slowly at first, then gradually increasing my speed.

"Incantations are about more than just saying the words," Aria instructed. "You must channel your mana in harmony with the incantation. Feel the energy flow as you speak, and let it guide the spell."

I followed her guidance, focusing on the flow of mana within me. As I recited the incantation, I felt a connection forming between the words and the energy coursing through my body. On my third attempt, a small, controlled burst of flame appeared in my hand.

"Excellent," Aria praised. "You're getting the hang of it. Now, let's try a slightly more complex spell."

We spent the next few hours practicing various incantations from the book. Each spell required a different combination of words and mana manipulation, challenging me to refine my control and understanding. With each successful cast, I felt my confidence growing.

As the afternoon wore on, Aria introduced me to the concept of magic arrays. She demonstrated how to draw a basic fire magic array on the ground, explaining the significance of each symbol and line.

"Magic arrays are the foundation of complex spells," she said. "By drawing the array, you create a stable structure that can contain and amplify the mana needed for the spell. This makes it possible to cast powerful magic with greater precision and control."

I practiced drawing the array, feeling a sense of satisfaction as I completed each one. With Aria's guidance, I learned to activate the arrays and channel my mana through them, creating controlled bursts of fire and into shapes and different sizes..

"You're making excellent progress," Aria said as we took a break. "Remember, mastery comes with time and practice. Don't rush the process. Focus on honing your skills and understanding the deeper principles of mana manipulation."

I nodded, grateful for her patience and wisdom. "Thank you, Aria. I feel like I'm starting to understand how magic truly works."

"That's good to hear," she replied with a smile. "We'll continue to build on this foundation. For now, let's call it a day for training. Rest for a while then come to my room in about an hour.