Following the advice of that hooded old man, and now barely five years old, I decided to dedicate myself to fencing training with my uncle Leo. He was an experienced adventurer, strong and skilled with the sword, and although he wasn't always available, I couldn't think of a better teacher.
Unfortunately, he is just now out of town, and that means I won't be able to start training for quite a while.
My parents, meanwhile, are also busy most of the day. In their absence, I take refuge in books at home. Most of them, however, are short stories or tales about the eleven heroes of the world: fascinating, yes... but useless if I want to advance on my path.
Nor do I have anyone to turn to in order to learn magic. The neighbors are mostly old men engaged in trade or farming. Though friendly, none possess the knowledge I crave. When I asked my parents if they knew anything of the magical art, they explained that their only instruction was limited to the use of the sword for defense.
Sometimes, I wonder if the world is keeping magic for only a few... or if I am simply not looking in the right place.
With that hope in my heart, I grabbed a few coins, just in case, and set out on my way. The library was a moderately sized wooden building, modest in appearance but well kept. It wasn't old, but it didn't look new either. As I entered, the creaking of the wood under my footsteps broke the solemn silence of the place. Behind the counter, an elderly librarian waited with a calm air and a patient gaze.
I felt nervous for a moment, but I knew I could not hesitate. If I really wanted to learn, I had to act decisively. So, in a firm voice, I asked:
-Good morning, excuse me, sir. do you have any books on magic?
The old man looked up and nodded calmly.
-Yes, young man. Look on the shelf at the back, straight ahead.
-Thank you very much.
With a knot of excitement in my stomach, I walked to the indicated section. However, to my surprise, I found no magic books. Instead, the shelves were filled with literary works by a renowned writer known as Baron of Avon, William Shakespeare. His works intrigued me, but it was not what I was looking for at the time.
I checked the shelves again and again, but the books that looked promising were just out of my reach, too high. After several frustrated attempts, I sighed despondently and, in a desperate mumble, blurted out:
-How am I supposed to learn magic if I can't even find a book?
As if fate had answered my words, a deep and serene voice interrupted me.
-You say you want to learn magic, kid?
I turned immediately and was met by an imposing figure. A tall man, with bright blond hair and pointed ears, dressed in elegant and exquisitely tailored clothes. There was no doubt, he was an elf.
-Yes, very much so," I replied enthusiastically, "but I can't find any books to learn from. Most of these are tales or stories.
The elf let out a slight laugh.
-In a common library it is almost impossible to find grimoires... or, as you call them, books of magic.
-Grimoires? Is that what they're called?
-That's right.
I immediately remembered my manners and hurried to introduce myself.
-Excuse me, sir. I'm Drake and I'm five years old.
The elf nodded with a slight smile.
-How do you do, child? I am John Ravenscroft, an elf.
My eyes widened.
-And how old are you, Mr. Ravenscroft?
I am two hundred and twenty-two years old.
I looked at him in disbelief before letting out an unfiltered exclamation:
-You're an old man, Mr. Ravenscroft!
For an instant, his eye twitched with a nervous twitch, and his brow furrowed slightly before he replied in a firm tone:
-No, child. For my race, I am still young. I am in the prime of my youth.
-Oh, I see... -I replied with some embarrassment.
However, my curiosity was stronger than any social error.
-So... Do you know how to use magic?
-Of course, and I'm quite good at it.
-Could you teach me?
-That depends. -Are you willing to put in the effort?
-Yes! But... I didn't bring much money with me.
The elf laughed softly and shook his head.
-I'm not looking for money. If you really want to learn and are willing to give your all, I will gladly accept you as my apprentice.
My heart was pounding. I was overcome with emotion and without hesitation, I answered with determination:
-Yes, sir! I will do my best to become a great magician!
Without knowing it, that meeting marked the beginning of a new stage in my life. One full of challenges, learning and, above all, magic.
***
John Ravenscroft looked at me earnestly, his golden eyes reflecting a wisdom that only centuries could bestow. His voice, firm but calm, broke the silence of the clearing where we stood.
-First lesson, child: mana is not everything. And being a wizard does not make you invincible.
Her words took me by surprise. I had always thought magic was the pinnacle of power, the ultimate art that separated the prodigies from the commoners. But the elf wasn't finished.
-Warriors who wield a sword are on the same level as a wizard. Brute strength, dexterity and strategy can rival magic if mastered. That is why, if you truly wish to learn, I will train you in both mana use and swordplay. Only then will you be a true fighter.
I nodded enthusiastically, but he raised a hand, indicating that I should listen before speaking.
-But before we begin, there are a few things you must understand.
He paused and pointed to the ground with the staff he carried. A light breeze stirred the dry leaves around us.
-Every living thing has even a pinch of mana in it. Some may have more and some less, but magic flows in all races and creatures. However, there are those who are born with absurd amounts of mana within them. This is common in royal lineages or hybrids between races.
He twirled the staff in his hand and continued:
-A prime example of this was the great hero Charles Von Mondragon. His father was the Dragon King and his mother, the Demon Queen of that time. His heritage bestowed upon him an enormous mana from birth, making him one of the most powerful wizards in history.
I marveled at the idea of such power, but the elf did not allow me to lose myself in reverie.
-However, you should not be obsessed with the amount of mana you were born with. The important thing is not how much you have, but how you use it and how you train it.
He turned to me, fixing his gaze on mine.
-Do you want to increase your mana? Then you must constantly deplete it. Think of it as your body's stamina. If you run every day, if you train with the sword, little by little you will be able to resist more and improve your strength. It's the same with mana. But there is a key difference: while physical training makes you improve two by two, mana growth is one at a time. It's a slow process, but rewarding for those with patience and determination.
I nodded firmly.
-For the moment, enough explanations. It's time to begin.
John reached over and placed a hand on my shoulder.
-The first thing you must learn is to sense and control your own mana. Without this, any attempt to use magic will be in vain.
He took a step back and looked at me expectantly.
-Close your eyes and concentrate on your heartbeat. Feel its steady rhythm, the rush of blood to every part of your body. Let that feeling wash over you.
I did as he asked. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on my heart. At first, I only felt the breeze of the wind and the rustle of the grass under my feet. But then, little by little, I felt the pulse inside my chest, a strong, rhythmic beat.
-Good," said John. Now, channel that feeling. Imagine that, instead of blood, it's energy flowing through your veins. Let it build up in your hands. Don't rush the process, just feel it.
A shiver ran down my arms and a slight tingling sensation settled in my palms.
-It's a strange sensation, sir.
-That's normal," the elf assured with a slight smile, "Keep concentrating, and when you're ready, try to gather that energy in one point. Visualize a small transparent orb forming between your hands.
I concentrated even harder. The tingling intensified, and for an instant, I thought I saw a glimmer in the gloom of my closed eyelids. It was a beginning. My first step into the world of magic.