Chapter 17: The Aftermath
Ryder slowly sat up, his head pounding with pain as he struggled to recall the events that had led to his current state. He looked around, taking in his surroundings, and his eyes landed on Echo, who was kneeling beside him, her eyes filled with concern.
"Ryder, are you okay?" she asked, her voice shaking with worry.
Ryder nodded, trying to clear his head, but the memories of his training session with Echo came flooding back. He had been pushing himself to master his magic, but he had gotten carried away, using too much power and losing control.
"What happened?" Ryder asked, his voice laced with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment.
"You used too much magic," Echo replied, her expression a blend of concern and amusement. "You lost control and passed out."
Ryder's eyes widened as he remembered the feeling of his magic spiraling out of control. He had been so focused on mastering his spells that he had forgotten to pace himself.
"I'm sorry," Ryder said, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him.
Echo smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to apologize, Ryder," she said. "You're still learning. It's going to take time and practice to master your magic."
Ryder nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He knew that Echo was right. He still had a lot to learn, and he was lucky to have her as his teacher.
As Ryder stood up, Echo handed him a small vial of liquid. "Drink this," she said. "It will help you recover from your exhaustion."
Ryder took the vial and drank the liquid inside. It tasted bitter, but he could feel its effects immediately. His fatigue began to lift, and he felt his strength returning.
"Thanks," Ryder said, smiling at Echo.
Echo smiled back. "Anytime, Ryder," she said. "Now, let's get back to training. We have a lot of work to do."
Ryder nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over him. He was ready to continue his training, to master his magic and become the powerful wizard he knew he could be.
As they walked back to their training area, Ryder turned to Echo with a thoughtful expression. "Echo, I've been wondering something," he said.
"What is it, Ryder?" Echo replied, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ryder hesitated for a moment before asking his question. "What is the rank of the Council members?" he asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to confirm.
Echo smiled, a hint of amusement in her voice. "You already know the ranking system, Ryder," she said. "But to answer your question, Zorvath is a Transcendent, as are the remaining Council members."
Ryder nodded, his eyes widening with respect. He had suspected as much, given the Council members' incredible magical abilities.
"That's impressive," Ryder said, his voice filled with awe. "I can see why they're the leaders of the wizarding community."
Echo nodded, a serious expression on her face. "Yes, Ryder. The Council members are incredibly powerful, and they have earned their ranks through hard work and dedication. But remember, rank is not everything. It's the actions you take and the choices you make that truly define you as a wizard."
Ryder nodded, taking Echo's words to heart. He knew that he still had a lot to learn, but he was eager to continue his training and become the best wizard he could be.
As they continued their training, Ryder couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. He knew that he was on the path to becoming a powerful wizard, and he was eager to see what the future held.
But little did Ryder know, a new challenge was just around the corner. A dark and powerful force was stirring, one that would test Ryder's skills and push him to his limits. The fate of the wizarding world depended on it.