Finally, after what felt like countless leaps and adjustments, Aubert arrived at the next part of the obstacle course.
His heart was racing, his breaths heavy with exertion, but his spirit was undaunted.
Before him, water spouts erupted into the air at random intervals, resembling the unpredictable fountains of a grandiose water show.
The area felt unusually warm, the air thick with steam that blurred the lines between the river and the sky.
Suddenly, a bird, perhaps curious or simply lost, landed on the obstacle course.
The bird's call, a loud "CAW," cut through the sound of rushing water, drawing Aubert's attention.
In an instant, the tranquility was shattered as a water spout collided with the bird, sending a flurry of feathers drifting across the course like a snowstorm in miniature.
Aubert's eyes widened in shock, the incident unfolding before him with startling clarity. Now, he understood the source of the steam and the oppressive heat enveloping the area.
'That poor bird!' Aubert thought, his heart going out to the creature.
Knowing how dangerous the water is, Aubert knew he had to be careful.
"em gnidnuorrus dleificeroF!"
As the words left his lips, a shimmering red forcefield materialized around him, serving as a protective bubble.
Encased within his protective bubble, Aubert cautiously began to navigate through the perilous landscape, each step measured and deliberate.
From a distance, Maurice observed his son's progress with a blend of pride and concern.
'A forcefield is good, but the force of the spouts can knock a car into the air,' he thought, his experience lending him a keen understanding of the potential risks involved.
As if on cue, just as Maurice harbored this thought, a water spout erupted directly beneath Aubert.
The force was immense, propelling him upwards with astonishing speed.
"Ahhhh!" Aubert exclaimed, his voice echoing across the river as he found himself hurtling through the air, still enclosed within his shimmering forcefield.
The ascent was brief, but as Aubert began to fall back towards the earth, another spout intercepted him mid-descent.
The collision sent him ricocheting upwards once again, the impact making him grunt, "Oof!" as his forcefield absorbed the shock.
Gravity reclaimed its hold, and Aubert started to fall for the second time, the ground rushing up to meet him.
The inevitable crash came, and with a final, forceful "Oof!" Aubert hit the ground.
The impact was softened by his magical shield, but it was not without consequence.
Crack!
The sound was sharp and unmistakable. The forcefield, though resilient, showed the first sign of fracturing, spiderweb cracks appearing on its surface as it struggled to maintain its integrity.
Exhaustion began to seep into Aubert's limbs, his mana dwindling from the sustained effort of keeping the forcefield active amidst such tumultuous conditions.
Gathering himself up from the ground, Aubert trudged back to the starting point of the second part of the obstacle course.
As he reached the beginning, with a focused gesture, the red forcefield that had enveloped him dissolved into thin air.
Beads of sweat traced paths down his forehead, cooling in the air, while his breathing came in quick, shallow bursts.
Standing at the start once more, Aubert took a moment to collect his thoughts.
He understood the precarious balance he needed to maintain—using his magic judiciously to ensure he could endure through the entirety of the challenge.
The forcefield, while significant protection, was a double-edged sword, rapidly depleting his mana reserves.
'If I keep this up, I'll be out of mana before I even get halfway through,' he realized.
The path forward became clear in his mind: he would have to rely on his physical abilities, agility, and quick thinking to navigate the dangers ahead without the safeguard of his magical shield.
With a deep breath, Aubert braced himself.
"AHH!" he shouted, a mix of determination and apprehension in his voice as he surged forward, eyes squeezed shut, trusting in his instincts to guide him.
As he ran, the ground beneath him became a minefield of erupting water spouts, each one a potential knockout blow.
But Aubert found himself weaving through the hazards with a surprising nimbleness.
Left, then right, he darted, narrowly avoiding the powerful jets of water that shot up in his wake.
With each successful dodge, his confidence grew; he was surprised by his agility, a talent that he hadn't fully appreciated until now.
The realization that he could trust in his physical prowess, even in the absence of magic, was a revelation.
Aubert's heart pounded in his chest, not just from the exertion, but from the thrill of discovering new depths to his abilities.
Each step, each leap, brought him closer to overcoming the obstacle before him.
"Argh!"
With a final burst of speed, Aubert propelled himself forward, the end of the second part of the obstacle course finally within reach.
His feet pounded against the ground, each step fueled by sheer willpower and the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
As he crossed the threshold, marking the completion of this challenging segment, he came to a stop, his chest heaving with each labored breath he took.
Panting heavily, Aubert bent forward, hands on his knees, as sweat cascaded down his forehead.
The cool air against his skin did little to quench the heat radiating from his body.
Gathering his breath, Aubert straightened up, a wave of realization washing over him.
With a mixture of disbelief and pride, he exclaimed, "I-I did it!" His voice, though tinged with fatigue, resonated with the triumph of his achievement.
In the immediate aftermath of his triumph, Aubert's gaze shifted forward, locking onto the next set of challenges that lay ahead.
His heart sank slightly as he observed the turbulent whirlpools that dotted the river's surface, each one a menacing swirl of water capable of dragging even the most seasoned swimmers into its depths.
'Oh no…'
The thought barely had time to form in his mind before Aubert was considering his options.
Exhaustion clung to his limbs, yet, the fire of determination within him refused to be quenched.
He was resolved to conquer this next challenge.
"I should probably just make a bridge," Aubert mused aloud.
He envisioned a sturdy wooden bridge spanning the treacherous waters, offering safe passage from the beginning to the end of the third part of the obstacle course.
It was a simple solution, elegant in its utility, and perfectly within the bounds of his magical capabilities.
Closing his eyes, Aubert focused on the image of the bridge, its wooden planks solid and reassuring beneath his feet, stretching across the river to provide a safe path over the whirlpools.
With a deep breath, he called upon his magic, uttering the spell in reverse as his father had taught him.
"egdirb nedooW."
As the words left his lips, the air around him shimmered with a red smoke.
When the smoke cleared, there it was—a wooden bridge, just as he had imagined. It arched gracefully over the river, its beginning and end anchored firmly on either part.
Aubert stepped onto the newly formed wooden bridge, he could feel the firmness of the wood beneath his feet, providing a stable path across the treacherous whirlpools below.
With cautious steps, he began to traverse the bridge, his eyes occasionally darting down to the swirling waters that had been a looming threat only moments ago.
Now, thanks to his quick thinking and magical prowess, they were merely a backdrop to his steady progress.
From a distance, Maurice observed Aubert's approach to the obstacle with a mix of amusement and pride.
A chuckle escaped him as he saw his son opt for what appeared to be the easy route, crafting a bridge to bypass the whirlpools entirely.
It was a clever use of magic, certainly, but Maurice couldn't help but reflect on the lessons he hoped Aubert would learn from these challenges.
He remembered watching Aubert abandon the protective barrier in favor of relying on his speed and agility during the second part of the course.
'I knew he was going to use the barrier at first.'
The course had been meticulously designed to encourage Aubert to recognize and utilize his inherent physical strengths.
The Reel family, after all, was known not just for their magical capabilities but also for their exceptional physicality—a trait that seemed to manifest uniquely in each generation.
Maurice's intentions had been clear: to push Aubert beyond his reliance on magic alone and to embrace the full extent of his abilities.
The second part of the obstacle course was a testament to that, a challenge meant to reveal to Aubert the power of trusting in his physical prowess.
As Aubert took his final steps across the wooden bridge, the sense of accomplishment from overcoming yet another challenge filled him with quiet confidence.
Observing from a distance, Maurice noticed Aubert reaching the end of the bridge.
A knowing smile crossed his lips, recognizing the moment as a pivotal point in Aubert's training.
It was time for Maurice to take a more active role in the next phase of the obstacle course.
"elbisnivnI,"
He whispered and his form blurred into the air, rendering him invisible to the naked eye.
"Ylf"
Maurice lifted off the ground. He flew towards the last part of the obstacle course.
Aubert, unaware of his father's preparations, took a moment to steady himself at the end of the bridge.
His gaze lifted to the last segment, and his eyes settled on a floating platform suspended at the top of the waterfall. The platform seemed unreachable, isolated in the sky.
'How should I go up there?'
Aubert deliberated over his options, his mind racing through potential solutions.
"Should I do what I did with the first part?" he pondered, recalling the innovative use of his magic to navigate previous challenges.
Then, a memory sparked within him—the image of a red portal his father had conjured during their visit to the Coral Cove Market, a gateway that had whisked them across space in an instant.
Inspired, Aubert visualized a similar portal, this one leading directly to the elusive platform at the waterfall's crest.
"pot eht ta latrop der A."
Before his eyes, the air shimmered, and a red portal materialized, its swirling vortex inviting him forward.
With a smile of anticipation, Aubert stepped into the portal, the familiar sensation of magical transportation enveloping him.
Moments later, he emerged on the floating platform, the majestic view of the forest and river sprawling below him.
To Aubert's astonishment, Maurice was already there, waiting for him on the platform.
Maurice's smile was warm, filled with pride as he beheld his son standing before him.
"Congratulations, Aubert, you have reached the last part."
Aubert, momentarily confused, furrowed his brow. He had assumed that arriving at the platform marked the end of his challenging journey.
"Papa, what are you doing here?"
Maurice's smile broadened. "Welcome to the final part of the obstacle course."
With a casual flick of his fingers, Maurice conjured a dark blue top hat and cape out of thin air, the items materializing with a flourish of magical energy.
Donning the hat and wrapping the cape around his shoulders, Maurice transformed before Aubert's eyes, embodying the elegance and theatrics of a true showman.
"For the final part, you will have to fight me."
Aubert's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"