Leo brushed himself off, determined not to be discouraged. He was beginning to understand Mr. Brookfall's lesson—a spell wasn't just something that could be blocked or avoided; it had its own structure and force that needed to be felt and understood. Mr. Brookfall wanted Leo to learn how to resonate with the magic itself, not just its appearance.
Leo took a deep breath, nodding at Mr. Brookfall. "Alright, I think I'm starting to get it."
Mr. Brookfall prepared another fireball, this time a little larger but with the same intensity as before. "Remember, Leo," he instructed, "don't just match the rotation—match the feeling. Sense how it flows, how it's held together. Magic has its own kind of rhythm, and once you find it, you'll be able to connect and control it."
Leo focused on the small fireball as it hovered just in front of him, feeling its warmth and subtle pulse. He slowly extended his hand, reaching out with his own energy to match its spin and intensity. This time, he could sense the pull more clearly—the way the spell drew in energy to sustain its shape. Carefully, he layered his own magic to sync with its pulse. When his hand met the flame, it didn't explode. Instead, it hovered between his palms, contained.
Mr. Brookfall's eyes brightened with approval. "Good, Leo! That's it. You're syncing with it. Now try shifting its shape."
Leo focused, guiding the flame with gentle adjustments to his energy, shaping it into a small sphere, then a line, before finally releasing it harmlessly. The feeling was exhilarating—he'd not only caught the spell but controlled it, a step closer to mastering the technique.
They practiced for nearly an hour, each spell becoming slightly more intense, and each time, Leo found himself improving, learning how to manage the energy and control its flow. Finally, Mr. Brookfall called a pause. "Excellent work today, Leo. Catching and controlling spells is no easy task. With practice, this skill will allow you to manage much stronger magic without being overwhelmed."
Leo smiled, feeling both exhausted and accomplished. "Thank you, Mr. Brookfall. I'll keep practicing."
Just then, Mr. Brookfall's amulet chimed, and he checked the message. His expression became serious as he looked back at Leo. "I've just received an update from Ms. Raven," he said quietly. "It seems there was indeed an attack in Willowreach last night. She's still getting the details, but it looks similar to what you described."
Leo's face fell, his suspicions confirmed. "Then it really happened..."
Mr. Brookfall put a hand on his shoulder. "Leo, whatever connection you have with these visions may be the key to understanding what the beastmen are after. But remember, you're not facing this alone. You've got us, and we'll do everything we can to keep you safe and to get to the bottom of this."
Leo nodded, his resolve strengthening. He knew now more than ever he'd have to get stronger—not just for himself but for those depending on him.
Mr. Brookfall looked over at Leo. "I know there's still a little time before your next class, but you did well today. Let's go meet with Ms. Raven and go over the details." Leo nodded, and they hurried to Ms. Raven's office.
When they arrived, she welcomed them in and gestured for them to sit. "So, the black wisp came to you last night and showed you this attack. What did you see?" she asked, her tone serious.
Leo took a breath and explained everything, down to the last, chilling image of the blade at the person's neck. Ms. Raven listened intently, her face thoughtful.
"Well, it matches perfectly," she said at last. "I don't understand why this wisp is coming to you, Leo, but it's clearly connected to what we discussed the other day. If this happens again, please let me know immediately." She held out her hand. "Leo, hand me your amulet."
Leo passed it over, and she traced her magic onto it, marking it with a faint glow. "Now, if the wisp comes to you again, you can notify me as soon as possible. We don't know if you saw the attack hours before or if it was happening in real time. I have connections in most towns; if we can alert them early, they might have a better chance to prepare."
Leo nodded, feeling reassured yet still a bit unsettled. Knowing he could contact Ms. Raven if another vision came helped put his mind at ease.
Leo took back his amulet, gripping it tightly as he absorbed Ms. Raven's words. Her gaze was unwavering as she turned to Mr. Brookfall, her tone somber yet resolute. "Now that we have a clearer sense of what's coming, it's vital we do everything we can—not just to protect Leo, but to warn others and strengthen our defenses. I need you to focus all your efforts on Leo's training. He must be prepared for what lies ahead."
The room felt heavier, but Leo met her eyes, his own steady and filled with determination. "I promise, I'll be ready. Just give me a little more time, and I'll make sure nothing happens to anyone."
Ms. Raven's serious expression softened slightly, touched by his conviction. She reached across the desk and placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, a rare show of warmth. "I admire your courage, Leo, but remember, you're not alone in this. The academy will support you, and we will do all we can to keep everyone safe. That includes you."
Mr. Brookfall nodded in agreement, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Leo, this won't be easy. I won't lie—what you're facing could push you to your limits. But we're going to make sure you're equipped with every skill, every ounce of knowledge you'll need. You've already shown immense strength, but now it's time to sharpen it."
A flicker of pride rose within Leo. For the first time, he felt like more than just a student—he felt like someone with a purpose, with allies who genuinely believed in him. His mind flashed to the vision from last night—the healer's hands, the town of Willowreach, the sudden assault. The images were as clear now as they had been when the wisp showed him, and he realized just how dire the situation could be. The threat was real, closer than he'd thought, and perhaps it was only a matter of time before it reached him and the academy.
Ms. Raven cleared her throat, bringing him back to the present. "I've enchanted your amulet," she said. "If you have any more visions or sense anything unusual, contact me immediately. We don't know if what you saw last night was a glimpse of the future or something happening in real-time, but if we can get a warning in advance, we may be able to help towns defend themselves."
Leo nodded, understanding the gravity of what she was asking. He looked from Ms. Raven to Mr. Brookfall, both of them wearing expressions of hope and concern. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For helping me…and for believing in me."
Ms. Raven's expression softened further, though a trace of worry remained. "Leo, you're special. I knew it when you first came here, and I know it now. Remember that you don't have to carry all of this alone. We're with you, every step of the way."
As he left Ms. Raven's office with Mr. Brookfall, Leo's mind was a mixture of resolve and anticipation. He didn't know what he'd face or how much more he'd have to grow, but with their guidance, he felt a newfound confidence. This was only the beginning, and Leo was ready to take on whatever came his way.