The three left the serene beauty of the Genvah Botanical Garden after Mystical Botany, their shoes crunching softly on the gravel paths as they made their way toward the main building.
"Alright," Adrian said, adjusting the gold-embroidered vest of his uniform. "What's next? Magical Theory and Ethics, right?"
"Yeah," Sevan replied, glancing at his schedule. "Room 204, east wing." He looked over at Aiden, who was unusually quiet. "What's up with you?"
Aiden shrugged, his eyes fixed ahead. "Nothing. Just thinking."
Adrian rolled his eyes. "You're always thinking. Relax for once, yeah? How bad could it be?"
Sevan gave a low chuckle. "Well, if Anatole wasn't exaggerating, Professor Anwar sounds like he's going to make us question the meaning of life."
Aiden frowned.
The idea of having his beliefs dissected by someone sharp and unrelenting wasn't exactly comforting. Still, he said nothing as they entered the east wing, the hallways quieter here, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls.
When they arrived outside Room 204, the atmosphere shifted. The air felt heavier, almost stifling, and the murmured conversations of other first-years waiting outside were subdued. The door was carved with intricate designs of karatula stones and symbols, giving it a foreboding aura.
Adrian leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Well, this is cheerful."
Before anyone could respond, the door swung open with a creak, revealing a tall, imposing figure standing in the doorway.
"Inside," said a deep, resonant voice.
The man was Professor Anwar, and he was every bit as intimidating as Anatole had described.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, his black robes flowing like shadows around him. His eyes were sharp, a piercing grey that seemed to see straight through you, and his neatly groomed beard only added to his commanding presence. He held a book in one hand, its cover etched with karatula stones, and his expression was stern, almost severe.
To Aiden, he looked exactly just like his father.
The students filed in quickly.
Aiden's heart sank as he stepped inside, taking a seat near the middle of the room beside Adrian and Sevan.
The classroom was dimly lit, with walls lined with shelves filled with ancient tomes and artifacts. A large chalkboard dominated the front, covered in a mix of writing and magical diagrams. Professor Anwar closed the door with a soft click, and the silence in the room was absolute.
"Magical Theory and Ethics," Professor Anwar began, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "The foundation of every spell you cast, every decision you make with your power, and every consequence that follows."
Aiden shifted in his seat, suddenly hyperaware of the faint hum of his own magic.
Professor Anwar's gaze swept across the classroom, his sharp eyes cutting through the tension in the air. A silence settled in, heavier than before.
"Now," he said, "tell me, class: what are the key differences between a basic Magi's magic and an advanced Magi's magic? Can anyone give me an answer?"
The room fell deathly silent, as if everyone was holding their breath, afraid to make the wrong move.
Professor Anwar's gaze lingered, waiting for someone to speak. The seconds ticked by, the tension thickening in the room. No one was raising their hand. The class collectively avoided eye contact with the professor, unwilling to volunteer an answer.
Then, with a slight rustle, Sevan's hand shot up from beside Aiden.
"You, what's your name, boy?"
"Sevan Wasterfall, professor."
"Mr. Wasterfall," Professor Anwar acknowledged, his eyes glimmering with interest. "What do you think?"
"The key difference is control," he began. "In the early stages, a Magi's magic is raw and unrefined. It's a natural extension of their emotions and instincts. But with an advanced Magi, magic becomes more calculated. They learn to channel their inner power with focus, precision, and intention, able to mold their magic into exactly what they need it to be. An advanced Magi can even tap into their core essence, controlling not just their elements but their very soul's energy, enhancing their abilities to levels that a basic Magi can't even fathom."
Professor Anwar nodded approvingly, his eyes narrowing as if scrutinizing Sevan's words. "Exactly, the key difference is control- and understanding."
Aiden looked down on his lap.
"You are all aware that not all magic is the same. There are levels to how one can wield magic, and as you progress, your ability to harness and control it grows exponentially. However, that growth comes at a cost. The more powerful your magic becomes, the more responsibility you must take on."
He paced in front of the chalkboard, each of his words hanging in the air. Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan leaned forward, intrigued, as the professor elaborated.
"For example," Professor Anwar began, "let's look at the first level of magical control, which most of you are beginning to learn. This is where your magic manifests in its most basic form. For most, this means elemental control, manipulating small bursts of fire, water, air, or earth, depending on your affinity. But this is just the beginning."
Aiden's stomach tightened slightly. He had always known his magic was volatile, but hearing it framed as something more controlled, something that could be developed, piqued his curiosity.
"Then, there are the advanced stages of magical control," Anwar continued, his tone growing more serious. "At these levels, a Magi can increase the power and strength of their magic by channeling their inner essence- what I call their core magic. This core magic connects deeply to the person's spirit, allowing them to draw from an untapped well of energy that goes beyond their basic elemental abilities. They can focus and direct their magic with more precision, and the energy they manipulate becomes far more intense and potent."
Aiden's mind raced, and he could feel the fire within him stir at the professor's words.
Was this what he needed? Was this the key to gaining control over his magic- understanding his inner core?
"However, there is something far more dangerous—and far more powerful—that comes with mastery over your core magic." Anwar's voice dropped slightly, a slight shift in his posture indicating the gravity of what he was about to say. "At the highest levels of magical mastery, a Magi has the ability to channel the very essence of their soul, their deepest instincts and desires. This manifests in what we call the Magi Form—an ability to transform and embody the animal spirit that lies within you."
Adrian, who had been leaning back in his chair, sat up straighter, his interest piqued as well. Sevan was leaning forward with a more serious expression on his face.
"The Magi Form is unique to each Magi," Anwar continued, now speaking with the air of someone discussing a long-held secret. "It is the deepest connection a Magi has with their magic, an embodiment of the animal spirit that is tied to their core essence. The animal a Magi transforms into is not random. It is deeply tied to who they are at their core, their inner nature, and the traits that define them."
"Take, for example," Anwar continued, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully, "a Magi with the ability to channel the spirit of a wolf. This Magi would possess exceptional strength, heightened senses, and incredible agility. They could transform into a wolf, embodying the ferocity and loyalty of that creature. But with that power comes a loss of control. Their instincts, their emotions, will become heightened to an overwhelming degree. The wolf's nature—its hunger, its desire to protect, its aggression—will take over."
Aiden's breath caught in his throat. The idea of channeling something so raw and wild, something that could consume him from the inside out, was terrifying. He could only imagine what it would be like if his own magic became something uncontrollable. Not that his magic is controllable.
"Then, there are those who channel more majestic creatures, like the eagle or the lion," Anwar went on. "These transformations are often linked to qualities of leadership, wisdom, and courage. But no matter the animal, the danger remains the same: the deeper the connection to the creature, the more at risk the Magi becomes of losing themselves to their animal instincts."
Aiden felt a bead of sweat trickle down his spine. The more Professor Anwar spoke, the more the tension in the room seemed to build, as if the very air was heavy with the weight of the professor's words.
"The transformation is not just physical," Anwar continued, eyes locked on each student, "it is psychological. It is a bond so deep that it threatens to erase the line between human and beast. The more powerful a Magi becomes, the more they risk becoming the very animal they embody."
Aiden shuddered at the thought. It was hard enough for him to control his magic when it was in its raw, chaotic form. The idea of it taking on a physical manifestation, becoming something he couldn't just turn off or suppress, terrified him.
"However," Anwar's voice softened slightly, as if trying to ground them after such a heavy discussion, "such transformations are not to be feared. In fact, they can be a symbol of your ultimate control- when done properly. But that is the key: proper control. Only those who have mastered their core magic can safely tap into their Magi Form. Until then, it is a dangerous pursuit."
Could he ever get to that level? Aiden thought.
Would his volatile magic ever be something he could harness to that degree? And if he did, what would that transformation look like? Would he be consumed by the flame? Would he turn into a beast, burning everything around him?
He glanced at Adrian and Sevan, who seemed to be absorbing the lesson in their own ways. Sevan looked thoughtful, clearly processing what the professor had said, while Adrian seemed more intrigued than alarmed.
Professor Anwar's voice broke through his spiraling thoughts.
"Remember this, young Magi," he said, a touch of finality in his tone. "The key to mastering your magic is knowing your limits. Understand yourself first: your strengths, your weaknesses, and only then will you truly begin to understand the full potential of your power. But never forget that true mastery does not come without sacrifice. The more you take on, the more you risk losing yourself in the process."
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Aiden, still lost in thought, felt like the room had gotten too small, too suffocating. He stood up slowly, his mind churning with the implications of Professor Anwar's words.
Adrian and Sevan had already gathered their things, preparing to leave, but Aiden lingered for a moment. He couldn't help but wonder: if he ever unlocked his Magi Form, what would it look like? And would he be strong enough to control it—or would it destroy him instead?
With a final glance at Professor Anwar, who stood at the front of the room, watching them all with an inscrutable expression, Aiden followed Adrian and Sevan out of the classroom.