Strong Potential - Part 2

Tere simply glared at her apprentice while they took their teleport. While Samuel looked at Bregane to see similar clothing malfunction, he just smiled and did not care further than that knowing that Bregane would probably not be so happy either. Silence was the better choice in Samuels mind.

Keeping up the same lesson as the day before, Bregane used a more direct approach that day instead, Teaching Samuel how to cast cantrips.

He taught him several different cantrips that he had Samuel write down in a large book with empty pages. "Its your very own spellbook!" Was the first thing Bregane said making Samuel open and close his mouth several times like a fish.

"So I expect only serious business written down in it and nothing else. To each mage their own magic. Your own spellbook is the ultimate culmination of a succesful mage - when it has at least half the book filled of course!" Bregane was quick to add.

A spellbook that was filled was the ultimate milestone for any mage. It would contain most of their magical knowledge, it was an important tool for a mages journey as they wrote down all their collected science and spells. But it was extremely hard to read for others to keep things from being stolen easily.

The first things that Bregane had Samuel do was to copy all the cantrips on paper, although he could know them all in his mind they were still worthy of marking the beginning of his journey. Spellbooks also had the function to help mages quick cast their own spells without wasting too much time with incantation or arcane signs.

During the following days, Samuel learned how to cast basic fire, to conjure drinkable water. Although it was disgusting the first few times, almost enough to make someone puke - it took a few days before it just tasted like natural water. Fire to start campfires or shoot small firebolts, water to drink and put out the fire with.

He learned how to mold earth shapes, even though it was one of the most mana consuming things he had done he did eventually learn to mold the earth fast. Air cantrips were slightly easier, it was more about conjuring small gusts of wind and knocking over small things.

Bregane had Samuel spend the rest of the week becoming a master of cantrips. When Samuel had asked him why learning cantrips was so important compared to spells Bregane had laughed at him. "Casting magic is consuming, and most mages can only cast so many spells a day before they need a good nights sleep. Cantrips however you can rely on no matter how tired you are - If you master them!" Bregane shrugged, "You notice how tired you become from learning cantrips now then just think how tired spells will be when you learn them. There are Ten levels of magic we usualy rank them from 1st-10th level. The more magic power you put the higher the level, most people can only cast higher leveled spells a few times compared to lower levels that can be cast several times."

"Let me demonstrate!" Bregane waved Samuel over to the opposite end of the training chamber and had the target dummies appear. "Fire is the best teacher!" Bregane winked which made Samuel shiver. Bregane quickly said some arcane gibberish and Samuel instantly felt the magical aura that came from Bregane.

"Cervaz Infiro" Were the only and last words Samuel could hear clearly at the end of the arcane chant. Suddenly a fire assembled at Bregane's hand and became seven different beams of fire that hit the dummies setting them ablaze.

Samuel stood there gawking out of amazement before Bregane literally snapped his fingers in front of his face to snap him out of it. "Its rude to stare." He said which made Samuel take a step back in shame.

Bregane paid him no mind though and said. "Now watch this!" He quickly said the same chant, but Samuel could feel that there was less magic in the air from this chant. When Bregane finished the chant and extended his hand only 4 rays of fire came out to strike at the dummies.

"That was me casting the same spell at a higher and respective lower level and as you could tell, I needed to put a lot more magic into the higher spell. But it did also increase its power, while it made me more tired." Bregane quickly went to sit down and took out a mug to make some water in to drink.

"There are many ways to cast magic, and many mages often find different ways to cast, some cast in silence only using their mind. Others shout out the silly incantations, some borrow from the elements, others bend the elements." Bregane looked Sam in the eyes. "What you haveto understand is that the potential is only limited by the persons imagination!" He finished his mug of water.

Samuel took those words to heart and started pondering of the limitless potential magic might be if one figures out all the ways to cast. He spent the rest of the time left to train before they went back for the day. Samuel only then realized just how much practice and experimentation he had to do. It was a bottomless pit of knowledge which would take years upon years to learn properly.

The remaining time quickly went by and Samuel felt like he was starting to become a master of cantrips and secretely training his blade casting of cantrips away from prying eyes. Learning to infuse his body and sword with magic.

The final lesson had come along, so he was surprised to find Erica and her master Tere there already apparently waiting for them. Bregane quickly walked up to her and stood beside her and Samuel took his place beside Erica as they were waiting to be told what was going on.

Bregane spoke first. "Let me just begin with congratulations on learning so much in such a short amount of time! Both of you!" Tere continued "You have already succeeded in passing and both of you have been admitted to the mage college!" Both teachers nodded leaving both of their respective student with their mouth agape.

"I thought we were training to join the years here?" Erica was the first to ask out of the two and Samuel just silently nodded along. "Yes that was before you both showed the immense potential required to join the mage college." Bregane replied making both the youths look at eachother.

"Both of you have already been accepted and you are going to join the first year of the college after this month of the summer break is done. We do still of course have one final lesson for you today, or more like a final challenge!" Bregane quickly said making both the students tense up a bit again.

Tere put one hand each on their shoulders. "You two are going to spar with eachother!" She said smiling. "Me and Bregane have different methods of teaching and so we are trying to figure out eachothers flaws and strengths to become better teachers." She patted the shoulders of them both and took a few steps back.

"So you will be able to teach your next students even better than us?" Erica asked out of curiosity with a small smile toward her master. "Well both yes and no!" Tere replied leaving Erica confused. "You see!" Tere started saying, but Bregane took over. "The two of us are going to continue mentoring you even at the college, we will be your personal mentors at least for the first year!" He said with a nod.

Samuel got confused and asked if all students had mentors their first years. But Bregane only shook his head, "Only a few selected candidates do! The college has a lot of teachers, but not enough to train the 300 something students that start every year! Only about 30 of the first years get special mentors like us!" Samuel tilted his head and Bregane saw that he was about to ask a million questions so he stopped him by holding up his hand.

"Think of it as the college spending resources for those who have extra potential, I also cannot stress the fact enough that you should never speak about it! Clear!" Bregane said while looking intensly at Samuel and Erica and they both nodded which made him pleased.

"Now where was I?" Bregane started but this time Tere replied. "Sparring match?" She quickly nudged him, and he nodded. "Right, right! A sparring match between the two of you! Whomever lands the first hit wins." As soon as Bregane said those words Erica instinctively punched Samuels shoulder and they all heard him say 'Ow' loudly.

Both the mentors laughed and Erica became beet red and apologized to Samuel. After a little bit of laughing and apologizing the mentors motioned for their respective apprentice to take a spot on opposite ends of the training hall.

"BEGIN!" Both mentors said at the same time!