Chereads / The Sorcerer's oath / Chapter 25 - Moving Spaces

Chapter 25 - Moving Spaces

After finishing up with the elemental class, Leo and his friends made their way to their last class of the day: Void and Time Magic. Leo had heard of the class, but stepping into the room was something else entirely.

The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt a strange, tingling magic wrap around him, like a faint, invisible mist. He paused, looking back at the others, who didn't seem fazed.

"Do you feel that strange magic around us?" he asked, trying to shake the unsettling sensation.

Mira gave him a reassuring smile. "Yeah, it's just part of the classroom's wards. Since we're working with spells that can create rifts and manipulate space, these protective enchantments are here to make sure nothing goes wrong while we're practicing. Think of it as a magical safety net."

Leo nodded, slightly reassured. The room itself was unlike any other class space he'd been in—large and dimly lit, with the walls lined in symbols that pulsed faintly with an energy he couldn't quite place. The ceiling was high and arched, giving the whole room an almost infinite feel, as if it could stretch on endlessly if he looked too closely.

The instructor, a tall, ethereal figure with silvery hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward. "Welcome, students," she said, her voice calm but powerful. "My name is Professor Silhara, and I'll be guiding you through the fundamentals of Void and Time Magic. Today, we'll begin with a simple exercise in void manipulation. The wards you feel around you will help contain any rifts you create, allowing you to safely explore the nature of these unique spells."

Professor Silhara raised her hands, and in the center of the room, a small, swirling dark sphere appeared, pulsing gently. "Void magic, unlike elemental magic, doesn't rely on physical forces. It's about understanding the absence of matter, bending reality just enough to create and control nothingness itself."

Leo's mind whirled with questions. His father had taught him much about void magic, but he'd never explained the deeper mechanics of how it functioned. Could they really manipulate time and space? Leo looked at Darian, Mira, Sera, and Alaric; they all seemed equally captivated, eyes wide with wonder at the mysteries of the class.

Professor Silhara continued, her tone both instructional and almost poetic. "In today's exercise, we'll start by summoning a small void wisp. This will serve as a focus, a gateway to begin understanding the boundaries between our world and the spaces beyond."

Leo wasn't worried about summoning a void wisp; he knew he could handle it. As the class began, each student started attempting to summon their own void wisps. Leo focused, and before long, five shimmering void wisps appeared, floating around him in a soft, dark glow. Professor Silhara's eyes widened with surprise and admiration. She knew she had a gifted student in Leo, but summoning five wisps on his first attempt was beyond her expectations.

Darian and Alaric followed suit, each managing to summon two wisps that hovered near them. Though fewer in number, their wisps pulsed with energy, reflecting their growing connection to void magic. The professor nodded approvingly at each of them, impressed by the group's progress.

The rest of the class quickly followed Leo's lead, with Sera and Mira each managing to summon a single void wisp. Other students began to catch on, though a few struggled to summon even one. Professor Silhara gave an encouraging smile to those who hadn't succeeded yet. "Don't worry if you weren't able to summon a void wisp this time," she reassured them. "We still have a few weeks before your first outing. I'll come around to help those who are close. For those who have summoned a wisp, we're going to take things a step further."

With that, she reached into a bag, murmuring an incantation. A small, round, two-pound cube appeared on each student's desk. "Today, we'll work on spatial manipulation by warping objects. Your task is to move these cubes at least ten feet across the room using the spell 'Flecte.'" She demonstrated with a quick wave of her hand, murmuring "Flecte," and her cube smoothly vanished and reappeared across the room.

Professor Silhara looked over the students with a steady gaze. "Please be careful, and take the next hour to practice warping your cube. Focus on precision and control over distance."

The class buzzed with concentration as each student tried their best to cast "Flecte," though for most, the spell didn't come easily. Leo picked up his cube, feeling its weight in his hand, then took a steadying breath. Focusing his energy, he spoke, "Flecte," and with a practiced wave, he sent the cube across the room. The cube vanished in his hand, only to reappear on the far side. With another cast of "Flecte," it blinked back into his hand.

Professor Silhara noticed and gave him an approving nod, clearly impressed by his control.

Darian and Alaric were making good progress, each managing to warp their cubes a solid six feet, though they struggled to push beyond that distance. They exchanged frustrated glances, both eager to close the gap and match Leo's success.

Sera and Mira, meanwhile, managed to move their cubes about four or five feet. The effort was visible in their expressions; they concentrated intently, determined to reach farther, but the cubes wouldn't budge past that point just yet.

Professor Silhara moved between them, offering tips on stabilizing their focus. "Remember, warping is about intent and precision," she reminded them. "Don't try to force the magic; guide it." The encouragement seemed to help, and the students resumed their practice with renewed determination.

By the end of the class, Leo had made impressive progress, managing to warp four cubes around the room simultaneously with ease. He focused on guiding each object smoothly to different spots, sending them off and recalling them in quick succession. The sight drew admiring glances from his classmates and a raised eyebrow from Professor Silhara, who clearly recognized his potential.

Darian and Alaric had also pushed their limits, successfully warping two objects each about ten feet away. Though their control wasn't as refined as Leo's, they both managed to send and retrieve their objects without losing focus. Their hard work and concentration were beginning to pay off.

Sera and Mira, meanwhile, had managed to handle one object each, but they'd improved in control; they could now both send the object to a designated spot and bring it back to themselves reliably. Though they still had room to grow, their steady progress gave them a boost of confidence.

As Professor Silhara observed the room, she seemed pleased with the class's progress. Most students were managing at least one successful warp by the end of the lesson, though there were a few who still struggled to get their objects to move at all. She offered them a few final tips and assured everyone that, with consistent practice, they'd continue to improve.

"Excellent work today, everyone," she said, her tone carrying a note of pride. "Remember, mastery comes with patience and persistence. Keep practicing, and you'll find warping becoming more natural each time."

With that, the class gathered up their things, buzzing with excitement and a sense of accomplishment. Leo and his friends shared encouraging smiles, feeling like they'd all taken an important step forward in their magical studies.

As the group left the Void and Time class, they were still buzzing from the thrill of the day's lessons. Each of them carried a subtle glow of pride at what they had accomplished, feeling the weight of new magic settling within them. They walked together, discussing the highs and lows of the lesson and trading advice on how they could improve.

Leo waved goodbye to his friends as they split off toward their own rooms. "See you all at dinner!" he called, giving them a quick smile before darting off down the hall.

Once in his room, Leo dropped his bag on the floor and took a deep breath, letting the day's excitement and tension melt away. He still felt the faint tingle of void magic humming beneath his skin, as if the energy he'd summoned hadn't entirely left him. Heading to the washbasin, he splashed some cool water over his face, feeling the crispness wash away the last traces of exhaustion.

As he dried off, Leo caught his reflection in the small mirror on the wall. His eyes were brighter, filled with the thrill of new discovery. His thoughts drifted back to Professor Silhara's look of approval, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He hadn't expected to master the spell so quickly, but it gave him a spark of confidence—and a sense of mystery he couldn't wait to unravel.

After tidying up, he changed into a fresh set of robes and glanced out the window, watching the sky deepen as dusk began to settle over the academy. His stomach gave a soft growl, reminding him it was nearly dinnertime.

"Alright, time to see what's on the menu," he said to himself with a grin, already looking forward to meeting up with his friends again. Leo grabbed his bag, made sure everything was in order, and stepped out of his room, ready for whatever the evening might bring.