Yes, the new subject. Magic.
While I was taught it haphazardly, I managed to gain some understanding on my walk to the first town. First was that language had an impact on what happened. If I said 'Lighter' and pictured a lighter you might use when you smoke, it would produce a smaller flame than when I used the word 'bonfire'.
This was how I made those fireflies that Elyn was playing with. I thought of just fireflies and tried to imagine them filling the air and after a moment a few appeared and kept increasing in number. IF I hadn't been distracted I probably would have lost control in making them.
What was that phrase the man said to me? 'Your lights either mean you are stupid, or wanting to die!'?
Why would making a light so you don't fall over be a problem? If I went without a light I wouldn't be able to see where I was going. Oh. If I know where I'm going, so does everyone else.
I make a mental note to devise some 'heat vision' spell instead for future use when I understand magic better.
My practise with magic involved sitting down and attempting to do different tasks, the first was to light up the area around me, the second was to make some water like I did before.
This time instead of throwing the water, I attempt to hold it there in the air. Getting a smart idea, I attempt to light a fire under it to see if I can heat it up. I move the water over to me and reach out my hand as if I have a lighter to heat up the water.
The moment I think of fire, the water in front of me pushes out everywhere, burning me in the process as it rapidly evaporates and expands. Thankfully I closed my eyes in time, but my face, arms and hands sting from the burns of steam.
So now I'm bruised, burnt and tired. What a good combination.
Sitting there hoping the pain goes away starts to make me consider if magic can heal me.
While I'm not sure where to begin, I know that burns damage the skin and nerves.
"Repair skin and nerves, remove burns." I focus on trying to believe that my skin is healing. After a minute of enduring the pain, I see in the corner of my eyes, my hand starting to look better. Or not. I can't tell. As I focus on that area more, suddenly it starts changing more rapidly under my eyes, what was once red burns has settled a lot more. While not perfect, it has reduced a lot of the time I'd spend needing to rest. Closing my eyes I sit there for over 20 minutes trying to focus on every part of my body that hurts, even the bruises.
I get the smart idea to 'reinforce' my bones, trying to come up with some long sentences for that ends up making my body feel a bit slower as if I weigh a bit more than I used to. Copying that idea I try to do the same to my muscles, but only get finished on my arms and legs before I collapse from running out of energy.
Apparently I slept most of the next day as when I woke up I found Elyn sitting nearby the bed half asleep waiting for me to wake up, with a few dried tears in her eyes. I'm sure seeing me asleep there was a shock for her again. I make sure to hug her and keep her in my hug till she stirs and wakes up.
"I'm sorry for making you worry again." I hug her more and keep patting her head to reassure her.
I start coughing which puts another worried look on her face. After a moment I stop before realising the problem I caused myself when I was messing with my body earlier.