After their first class, Jorel, Ryen, and Jain made their way to the next lesson, their minds still buzzing from the confrontation with Drain. The tension from the classroom had lingered, but now their focus shifted to the lesson ahead. The instructor for this class was a tall, stern man with a wiry frame, his sharp eyes scanning the room as the students settled in.
"Today, we'll be diving into the methods used to elicit pain for your magic," the instructor began, his voice carrying an edge of authority. "Pain is the foundation of your power, but it's not enough to simply endure it—you must learn to create and control it."
He gestured to a table at the front of the room, where various vials and objects were laid out in neat rows. "For physical pain, there are several techniques you can use, each designed to produce a specific type of pain that can be harnessed for different effects."
The instructor picked up a small vial filled with a pale blue liquid. "This," he said, holding it up for the class to see, "is a concoction that induces a sharp, burning sensation, similar to neuropathic pain which is derived from nerves. One drop on the skin, and you'll feel as if your nerves are on fire. It's particularly effective for spells that require precision or intense bursts of energy."
He set the vial down and picked up another, this one containing a thick, greenish fluid. "This is designed to cause nociceptive pain, the kind you'd experience from a deep cut or a broken bone. It's more common, but no less powerful. This type of pain is typically used to enhance your physical attributes—strength, speed, endurance—or to create defensive barriers."
The instructor then began passing around the small box containing a multitude of these vials for the students to get a better look at while he continued talking.
Jorel listened intently, his curiosity piqued. He could see how these different forms of physical pain could be useful in various situations. As the instructor continued to explain the various vials, it was Jorel's turn to look into the box.
Realizing this was an opportunity to get an edge in case Drain decided to act on his words earlier, Jorel discreetly reached in and pocketed a small vial meant to amplify physical pain, one that the instructor had described as "useful for those who need an extra push."
"Now lastly, we have vials that induce nociplastic pain- which comes from a dysfunctional nervous system. These are things like tension headaches or chronic back/pelvic pain. These are low-level to high-level chronic conditions that can give you a long term effect, at the cost of long term pain."
The instructor then moved on to emotional pain as Jorel passed the box on.
"Now, for those of you who lean towards emotional pain magic, scripts and rituals are your tools. A script is a piece of literature—be it a poem, a story, or even a phrase—that evokes a specific emotion. When you read it, you must allow yourself to be fully immersed in that emotion, drawing it out to fuel your magic."
He picked up a worn piece of parchment and began to read aloud:
"Under the moon's cold gaze,
The lone wolf howls in despair,
Hunger gnaws within."
As the words left his lips, the atmosphere in the room seemed to grow colder, and a few students visibly shuddered. The instructor paused, letting the weight of the words settle before continuing.
"A ritual, on the other hand, is an action that you perform to evoke an emotional response. These are more complex and can involve anything from isolation to acts of betrayal. The stronger the emotion, the more powerful the magic."
Jain nodded knowingly, as if recognizing some of the scripts and rituals. It was clear to Jorel that she had been exposed to emotional techniques long before arriving at E&R.
The instructor continued, "When doing quick battle with an opponent, most emotion users will utilize scripts for a variety of spells while relying on rituals they had done in the past for their deeper and specific field of magic."
The instructor concluded by emphasizing the importance of control. "Whether you're dealing with physical or emotional pain, the key is balance. Too little pain, and your magic will be weak, ineffective. Too much, and you risk losing control entirely. You must learn to walk that fine line, to push yourself just enough without tipping over the edge."
As the lesson ended, the students slowly filed out of the classroom, their minds heavy with the weight of what they had learned. Jorel, Ryen, and Jain walked together in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The reality of pain magic—the delicate balance it required and the dangers it posed—was beginning to settle in. The day's lessons had been intense, both mentally and physically, and they all felt the strain.
Back in Raven House, the trio found a quiet corner in the common area to sit and unwind. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, adding to the somber mood that had settled over them. They exchanged a few words about the day's lessons, but there was a sense of unspoken agreement that they needed time to process everything.
Jorel glanced at his friends, noticing the exhaustion etched on their faces. "We should get some rest," he suggested. "Tomorrow's going to be another tough day."
Ryen nodded in agreement, stretching out his arms with a sigh. "Yeah, I could use some sleep. It's been a long day."
Jain remained quiet, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. She gave a small nod, her eyes distant. "Rest sounds good. We'll need it."
But as they were about to head to their rooms, a loud chime echoed through the house, signaling an unexpected gathering. The trio exchanged puzzled looks before making their way to the Raven House common area, where the other students were already assembling. The room buzzed with low murmurs of speculation and unease, the atmosphere charged with anticipation.
Siera, the house leader, stood at the front, her expression unreadable. As the last of the students gathered, the room fell silent, all eyes fixed on her.
"Tomorrow morning," she began, her voice steady, "the first official trial of the term will take place. This trial is a rite of passage for all entry-level students, a test of your ability to work as a team and demonstrate your individual strengths after your initial lessons."
A murmur ran through the room as the students exchanged nervous glances. Jorel felt his heart rate quicken, the reality of the situation sinking in.
"The trial will take place in the Maze of Suffering," Siera continued. "It is a labyrinth designed to challenge both your physical and emotional pain tolerance. You will face a series of obstacles, each meant to push you to your limits. You must navigate the maze as a team, but remember—each of you will be tested individually as well."
She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in. "Failure is not an option. Those who do not complete the trial may face expulsion or worse. This is your first real test at E&R, and the reputation of Raven House is on the line. Do not disappoint."
The room fell into a tense silence as Siera's words hung in the air. Jorel glanced at Ryen and Jain, both of whom looked equally determined and apprehensive. They had known this day would come, but the reality of it was far more daunting than they had imagined.
After the meeting, Jorel, Ryen, and Jain gathered in a quiet corner of the common area to discuss their strategy for the trial. They knew that they would need to rely on each other's strengths if they were going to succeed.
"We have to stay focused," Jorel said, his voice low but resolute. "Whatever happens, we stick together and get through this."
Ryen nodded in agreement, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "What about Drain and his followers? I wouldn't put it past them to try and sabotage us."
Jain looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "We can't let them distract us. The trial is designed to test our abilities, and we need to be at our best. We can't afford to get caught up in petty rivalries."
She then offered a suggestion. "I can teach you both a basic physical pain magic skill—creating a barrier. That's what I used in the maze last time, it's simple but effective, and it could be useful in the maze."
Jorel and Ryen exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. They both knew that any additional skills could make a difference in the trial.
Jain explained the technique, "To create a barrier, you need to inflict pain that resonates with the concept of protection. One effective method is to cause a sharp, controlled injury to the forearm- also known as an acute sense of pain. The forearm bones, the radius and ulna, are often used instinctively to block or protect vital areas of the body. By inflicting a targeted pain here, you can channel that protective instinct into a barrier."
She picked up a small, blunt tool from her belt—a wooden rod shaped like a short baton. "Watch closely," she instructed. Jain positioned the rod just below her wrist, then struck it sharply against the bone. The impact was immediate, sending a wave of pain up her arm. Her face tightened, but she maintained control, focusing on the pain.
Slowly, a faint, glowing barrier appeared around her, shimmering like a translucent shield. It pulsed with a soft light, conforming to the contours of her body, a testament to her skill in directing the pain.
"Now, you try," she said, handing the rod to Jorel.
Jorel took the rod, hesitating for a moment. He looked at Jain, who nodded in encouragement. He mimicked her actions, placing the rod against his forearm and striking it hard. The pain was sharp, shooting up his arm, but he struggled to channel it. Instead of forming a barrier, the pain seemed to scatter, dispersing through his body before he could gather it into a protective force.
"Focus on the instinct to protect," Jain advised, her voice calm. "Don't just feel the pain—think about why you're feeling it. Your body uses your forearm to shield against harm, so use that instinct to direct the energy."
Jorel closed his eyes, trying to center his thoughts. He struck his forearm again, this time visualizing the pain as a force he could mold. He concentrated on the idea of protection, of the forearm acting as a shield. Slowly, a weak, flickering shield began to form around him, but it was unstable, wavering like a flame in the wind.
"Good, you're getting there," Jain said encouragingly. "But you need to keep the pain steady—don't let it overwhelm you, but don't let it fade either. You have to find the balance."
Ryen, watching intently, took the rod next. He struck his forearm with a grimace, but unlike Jorel, he struggled to even form the initial barrier. The pain was there, but he couldn't seem to focus it, and it dissipated almost immediately. Frustration crept into his expression as he tried again and again, each attempt resulting in nothing more than a dull throb in his arm.
"This isn't as easy as it looks," Ryen muttered, rubbing his forearm where the rod had struck.
Jain stepped closer, her expression patient. "It's not easy—it takes practice. You're not just dealing with physical pain; you're working with your mind's instinct to protect- plus you are an emotional pain user, you are more built for that pain than physical but this is an important spell that can keep you safe tomorrow. If you panic or lose focus, the pain scatters and the barrier won't form. Try again, and this time, keep your mind clear. Think of the pain as a shield, something that's there to protect you, not just hurt you."
Ryen took a deep breath, nodding. He struck his forearm once more, this time closing his eyes to concentrate. The pain flared up, but instead of letting it overwhelm him, he visualized it wrapping around him like an armor. Slowly, a faint barrier began to flicker into existence, much weaker than Jain's but there nonetheless.
"That's it," Jain encouraged. "It's not about brute strength—it's about control. You're both doing well, but you need to practice. With time, the barrier will become stronger and more stable."
Jorel and Ryen exchanged glances, both of them breathing heavily from the effort. It was clear that this technique required more than just physical endurance—it demanded mental discipline and an understanding of the pain they were channeling.
"Let's keep practicing," Jorel said, determination in his voice. "We're going to need this tomorrow."
With renewed focus, they continued their attempts, each strike bringing them closer to mastering the protective barrier, but also revealing just how much more they had to learn.