Kai's POV
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting warm light across my room. I could hardly contain my excitement as I prepared to meet Alice. Today was the day she promised to teach me about casting instant spells.
"Okay, Kai! Just like I said, I will show you how to cast those instant spells," Alice said, closing her eyes and raising a finger, a confident smile playing on her lips.
"Yes, Master!" I replied, enthusiasm bubbling within me.
Alice paused for a moment, her expression shifting slightly. "Before I cast, let me ask you one question."
I felt a flutter of nerves. What could she possibly want to know? I took a deep breath, reassuring myself that it couldn't be anything too difficult. "Yes, Master!"
"Tell me, why do we call spells like these instant spells?"
My mind raced, trying to think of the right answer. Surely, it was something simple. "Isn't it because they have small incantations?" I ventured, hoping I was at least partially correct.
"You're half right," she replied, her eyes narrowing playfully.
Half right? That stung a little, but I was determined to understand.
She continued, "You're correct that they have small incantations, but they can also be cast by just calling their names."
Oh, so there are spells that can be cast by simply saying their names. My excitement grew even more.
"Ahem! So I will show you one of those spells, okay?"
"Okay, Master!"
Alice raised her cane high, her voice clear and strong. "Frost Snare!"
Instantly, ice tendrils erupted from the ground, snaking their way around a nearby tree, holding it tightly before vanishing moments later.
"Did you see that?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"Yes, Master!" I couldn't contain my awe.
"Good. That spell was called Frost Snare. It can immobilize any target for a little while."
I thought about what she said. "So after casting that spell, we can stop the enemy and start chanting to cast a bigger spell within that time."
"That's right. There are many instant spells, like Gale Burst, which can push the enemy back with a small burst of wind."
I nodded, absorbing the information. "So, given the type of enemy we face, we can choose how to use these spells, right?"
"Exactly. Now, you try to shout the name."
"Yes!"
I stepped forward, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Focus. This is going to be your first step toward your goal. I opened my eyes, raised my right hand toward the tree, and concentrated on my target.
"Frost Snare!" I shouted.
Two small tendrils erupted from the ground, capturing the tree.
"I did it!" I shouted in joy, but my triumph was short-lived as the tendrils disappeared a few seconds later. My shoulders slumped, disappointment flooding over me.
"I was unable to cast it after all."
Alice approached me, her voice firm yet gentle. "You are wrong. The spell was perfectly cast."
"But why did it disappear right after I cast it?" I asked, confusion clouding my thoughts.
"The duration a spell lasts depends on the amount of mana you give it while casting," she explained, a hint of patience in her tone.
"I see..."
"The power behind a spell is determined by the amount of mana you pour into it. If two spells clash, the one with more mana will cancel the weaker one. If both have the same amount, they will cancel each other out. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master!"
"Now, try casting that spell a few more times, and then we will move on to your next lesson."
Okay!"