[Third Person's PoV]
Wanda was fanning her face as she looked towards Stephen with a glare, "How can you say that with such a straight face?"
Stephen shrugged, "Because it's true and I was trying to make a point. Magic, at its core, is nothing more than a tool—a medium that channels our intent and will into action. It doesn't have morality or judgment of its own. It's neutral, a force that only responds to the wielder's desires. So, if someone uses magic to harm another, the fault doesn't lie with the magic itself. It lies with the person wielding it. Magic doesn't choose to be good or evil; the individual does."
Wanda's cheeks remained slightly flushed, the sting of Stephen's earlier words still lingering. She muttered softly, "I guess you're right."
Stephen offered a small smile but continued with a sharper edge of conviction in his voice. "That's the essence of what I'm trying to say. Now, Chaos Magic—why do you think it's called that? It's not because it's inherently malevolent or unstable. It's because it breaks free from the confines of conventional practices and structured systems. Traditional magic works like following a recipe—you mix the right ingredients in the right order to achieve a predictable outcome. But Chaos Magic? It's more like painting on a blank canvas with your imagination as the only guide. You can create anything your mind envisions. That kind of freedom, unchecked and unfiltered, can easily lead to... well, chaos."
He leaned forward, his gaze steady and intense. "But that doesn't make it evil, Wanda. It just means you have more responsibility, more control to master. Chaos Magic isn't the problem. It's the wielder—you—who decides whether it brings destruction or creation. And believe me, you have what it takes to make it a force for good. You just need to trust yourself."
Wanda couldn't help but smile graciously towards Stephen, just when her mind was about to spiral into a bunch of nonsense Stephen was there to reassure her, to be her anchor.
"That's why it gets me so angry to think you were imprisoned without them getting to know anything about you. They just can't decide your fate simply because of the power you will–" Stephen tangent was cut short by Wanda who threw herself into his arms.
Her arms were wrapped around his neck as she leaned her head towards him in an affectionate manner.
Stephen froze as he wasn't expecting, his cheeks were turning slightly, not because he was embarrassed to be hugged but because he could feel her breast pressing against him.
"Thank you Stephen…" Wanda muttered softly and with affection.
Stephen just hugged her back, his arms around her naked waist. Wanda was savoring and enjoying the warmth that Stephen brought her in the night of the cold beach.
Wanda then backed away slowly causing her to avoid eye contact as she became embarrassed, she sat back down and tucked her hair behind her ear.
Noelle just looked towards them, her eyes twitching as she just gripped her wand before she simply decided to ignore them. As she went back to practice she imagined that it was her that was leaping into Stephen's arms and hugging him that intimately. Which only made her flustered and beat red, she rapidly shook her head back and forth to dissipate those thoughts.
"YOU KNOW IF YOU GUYS ARE JUST THERE TO WATCH ME YOU CAN LEAVE! YOU'RE BEING A DISTRACTION!!" Noelle exclaimed, taking her anger out on them.
"Sorry" They both said, looking at her apologetically as they knew she was actually practicing hard and that they were truly being a distraction to her.
Stephen jumped down from the rock where he sat, Wanda jumped as well but Stephen caught her as they were pretty high.
"Thanks…" Wanda whispered before they decided to leave Noelle alone as she was muttering to herself in annoyance surrounding herself with her sea dragon Lair.
And so Stephen and Wanda walk close to the water, their toes in the sand, side by side. Wanda was walking with her hands behind her back kicking the sand upwards.
Stephen rubbed his chin thoughtfully, searching for the right words. "What you need now isn't just more practice. You've already come a long way in controlling your magic, but what's missing is knowledge—an understanding of the deeper mechanics of what you are and what you can do."
Wanda frowned slightly. "Knowledge?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of skepticism.
Stephen nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes, knowledge. Because you're more than just a mage. You're a witch."
Wanda tilted her head, confusion clear on her face. "And what exactly is the difference?"
Stephen scratched the back of his head, muttering to himself, "How do I put this in a way that makes sense?" After a moment, his expression brightened as he found his explanation. "Okay, here's the thing—it's not a simple difference I can just list off. It's more about how each interacts with magic and the philosophy behind their practice."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more confident. "Mages are like artisans. They rely on specific tools, like grimoires or wands, to focus and channel their magic. Their power comes from manipulating the magical forces within and around them through well-defined methods. It's precise, efficient, and highly refined because they focus on mastering a limited set of techniques."
Wanda nodded slowly, following his explanation. "And witches?"
"Witches," Stephen continued, "are different in that their approach is broader and more versatile. A witch isn't restricted to a single tool or system. Sure, they might use a grimoire or wand like a mage, but they can also employ rituals, crystal balls, sigils, magic circles, potions—practically anything they can imagine. A witch can tap into magic through a variety of mediums, making their practice more flexible and personal. It's an art as much as it is a craft… That's where the term Witchcraft comes from"
Wanda raised an eyebrow, curiosity replacing her confusion. "So witches are stronger because they can do more?"
Stephen shook his head, smiling slightly. "Not exactly. A mage's focus on specific tools and methods makes their magic more refined, more specialized. Their strength lies in their mastery of those techniques. Witches, on the other hand, have more freedom in how they wield their magic, but that comes at a cost. They need to study harder, learn more, and experiment with a wider range of practices. That's why it can take longer for a witch to reach their full potential compared to a mage."
He leaned back, his voice softening. "So, what you need isn't just more practice with spells—it's to broaden your understanding. Dive deeper into the roots of your magic, explore its many facets, and learn how to wield it in ways you've never imagined. That's what it means to be a witch, Wanda. You're not bound by the limitations of a mage—you're free to shape your magic to reflect who you truly are."
Wanda gave a brief nod, her expression thoughtful. "I understand now, but… does it have to be so complicated?" she asked, her tone tinged with weariness.
Stephen let out a hearty chuckle, the kind that carried warmth and excitement. "That's the best part about magic!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "It's not just about power or control—it's about understanding those complications. It's about uncovering the hidden mechanisms of magic, expanding your knowledge of the universe, and discovering how it all connects!"
He turned to face her, walking backward along the shoreline. His arms were spread wide, his voice rising with excitement. The moonlight danced in his sparkling blue eyes, reflecting his unyielding fascination. "Magic is beautiful, Wanda. Every secret you uncover reveals ten more mysteries, and every answer opens doors to a hundred new questions. It's endless! It's thrilling! It's—"
There is a saying that states: When they see someone talking about their passion, that person suddenly becomes more attractive in their eyes.
Such was the case for Wanda, seeing Stephen passionately talk about magic and how much his eyes sparkled with his every word caused Wanda's heart to skip a beat. Wanda couldn't help but smile and find Stephen's love for magic adorable.
He paused, catching the bemused look on Wanda's face. She covered her mouth with her hand, her laughter soft but contagious. Seeing her laugh made Stephen's ears flush red. He quickly returned to her side, muttering, "Sorry, I might've gotten carried away…"
Wanda shook her head, her smile gentle. "Don't apologize. I don't think I've ever seen you this passionate about something… well, except maybe Charmy's cooking," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Stephen smirked, playing along. "Are you sure you're not talking about yourself?"
Wanda gasped, her teasing replaced with mock offense. "Are you calling me fat?"
"What? When did I say that?!" Stephen exclaimed, his voice laced with genuine confusion.
Wanda crossed her arms, her pout deepening. "Well, that's how it sounded to me."
Stephen groaned, shaking his head in exasperation. "Anyways~" he said, dragging out the word to steer the conversation back on track. "What I'm trying to say is that what you need most isn't more practice—it's knowledge."
He extended his hand, and with a shimmering ripple in the air, his six-leaf Clover Grimoire materialized from the mirror dimension. It floated above his palm, radiating an aura of ancient wisdom.
Wanda's gaze shifted from the grimoire to Stephen, her expression suddenly filled with worry. "Are you sure about this? I mean… isn't the knowledge inside a grimoire supposed to be secret? Something personal, not meant to be shared?"
Stephen's gaze softened as he looked down at the closed grimoire. He ran his fingers over its ornate cover, his voice quieter but no less resolute. "You'd think so, wouldn't you? But that's not the purpose of knowledge. Knowledge is meant to help people. It's meant to be shared. What good is it if I hoard all of this wisdom, never letting it help someone else? Especially someone who truly needs it?"
He glanced at her, raising a brow. "Mind you, I'm not naive. I know the damage knowledge can do in the wrong hands. That's why I'm only sharing what you need—the knowledge that will benefit you. Mostly the parts about witchcraft. The rest stays locked away."
Wanda's eyes glimmered with gratitude, and she gave a deep bow. "I promise, Stephen, I'll never use the knowledge you share with me for anything evil."
Stephen smiled, a flicker of trust passing between them. "I'll hold you to that promise."
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