The Soldiers - Part 1

"Tripped? On what?" Dominus asked. "Use your head a little, boy. Just because you've slain yourself a hobgoblin doesn't mean you get to lose what little wits you had and just turn into a mindless sword swinger.

Beam frowned. It might have been his imagination, but he felt like Dominus was growing even harsher now that he'd made him his apprentice. Dominus paid no mind to the look that he shot him.

"I didn't sense any mana from you when you did it," Dominus mused.

"You can sense that? I thought you said only mages could?" Beam asked.

Dominus just shrugged. "I didn't say I could sense it well – can't even attempt to control it or anything like that. I more feel it just like you feel heat, though I have to concentrate."

"Hmm… So if not mana, what else could it be?" Beam said.

Dominus tilted his head, looking entirely baffled. "Beats me. Seems to be something entirely out of the normal realm of understanding."

"Well… It doesn't seem that powerful to me," Beam said.