āWrong.ā The disappointment stings. Teacher expects, demands nothing less than the best. āCast again. From the start.ā
Mage looks up as the last of the magic disperses into the air. Theyāve been at this for hours and Mage is exhausted, knees trembling as they resume their original posture. āIf I could just h-have a moment to rest. Some water.ā
Teacher scoffs. āYou entrusted yourself to me to develop your power, did you not?ā
āY-yes.ā
āAnd you agreed, did you not, to obey my orders?ā
āI did⦠I did, Teacherā¦ā Mage blinks once. Is their vision getting fuzzy?
āThen we continue, until youāve mastered this. Now, cast again from the beginning.ā
āYes, Teacher.ā
Mage summons energy and willpower, magic dancing between their fingers. Light appears. Exhaustion drags at Mageās very soul. They do not have the strength to finish the spell.
Without warning Mageās knees give, and they collapse to the ground, unconscious.
Teacher steps over the prone body, gathering up the stray energies for themselves, to store for later. Itās good that Mage made the choice to trust them. Mage will be Teacherās personal power source for years to come.











