Chapter 3 - The First Stone

Takumi wandered the outskirts of the village, practicing with his newfound ability. At first, he could barely shift a pebble. Concentrating, he visualized the stone moving, willing it to rise. Slowly, it wobbled upward, hovering an inch off the ground before dropping.

Hours turned into days as he practiced relentlessly. He discovered that his magic wasn't just about brute force—it required finesse. By focusing on precision, he could make the stone move more smoothly.

One evening, an elderly mage approached him. The man introduced himself as Master Caelum, a retired adventurer who had noticed Takumi's determination.

"Why waste your time with such a weak magic?" Caelum asked, though there was a hint of curiosity in his tone.

"Because it's mine," Takumi replied firmly.

Caelum smiled. "In that case, let me show you a thing or two."