Panting, Hans lifted himself from the forest floor and glared at Lord Heinrich.
Heinrich floated above Hans as though he stood on an invisible stage. The frustrating man did not even look as though he was exerting any energy. Every time Hans attempted that same maneuver, he felt as though he had run a marathon and could only float for mere minutes.
"Come now, Hans, you must learn how to draw on the deeper magic. If you keep relying on wish magic, you're going to continue causing mayhem."
Lord Heinrich had explained that the physical body acted as a conduit for the magic, but the student must have the aptitude to draw the magic into the body. It was more than knowing the magic was there, the student had to be born with an ability to sense and draw the magic. There were those who had attempted to learn who could only sense the magic but could not do aught with it. In Hans' case, the magic had almost pressed itself into him, filling the almost indiscernible void in his chest with its presence. Hans had merely to release its power, but if Hans did not understand how to channel the power properly, at the least he would case grief and vexation for people, and at the worst, he could destroy lives.
Wish magic was one such menace. Like the stories of genies and jinn, who were said to grant wishes, when wish magic was performed, the wish that was granted could not be reversed, and usually, the wish was granted in in such a way so as to cause the most trouble. Wish magic required very little effort, but the purer, less chancy magic require diligence and strength of will, a mind unbending and sometimes even physical strength. Hans found the most difficult maneuvers dealt with physical stamina, and he knew that his deformed body had much to do with his struggle in these areas.
Hans had been relieved to find that performing magic required no incantations, recipes, or lengthy verses, but it did require imagination and perseverance. Hans drew the magic within and commanded it to move without into every fiber of his body. Slowly, Hans floated from the wet and mossy ground and "stood" before his master.
Lord Heinrich smiled, "Much better. Your stamina is improving, and your capacity seems to be much greater than mine. You will make an astounding magician, but come now, are you ready?"
Hans consciously settled his ragged breathing and pulled more magic into him, but as he was considering how he would attack, Garin's magic swatted him onto his back. Hans gasped in pain, as his twisted back hit the earth, and he sucked in air as though his lungs were starving. Again, Hans wondered if he really was capable of
Garin pulled Hans to his feet with magic, grimacing slightly. He looked off toward the castle, his voice hinting at irritation, "Hans, you must learn to think more quickly. If he should return…" Garin trailed off, shaking his head. He grim stare bore down on Hans. "Again."