Chapter 4: A Rude Awakening

The morning light streamed through the windows of the cottage, casting a gentle glow over the room. Birds chirped melodiously outside, their songs blending with the rustling leaves of the garden. It was a peaceful start to the day, but the tranquility was abruptly shattered by a piercing scream.

Eadric’s voice echoed through the air, filled with terror. “Help! My Lady! Please, help me!”

I turned calmly from my place by the hearth, where I had been preparing for the day’s lessons. Stepping outside, I saw Eadric sprinting through the garden, his face pale with fear. Hot on his heels was a monstrous bull, its eyes glowing a menacing red and its form twisted into a grotesque, demonic version of a bull. Its hooves pounded the ground, sending tremors through the earth as it chased him relentlessly.

Eadric glanced back, his panic palpable. “Lady! What is this thing?”

I watched with a detached interest, noting his reaction. It was not uncommon for those new to magic to be unprepared for the trials they would face. The demonic bull charged with unrelenting fury, its roar echoing through the trees.

As Eadric stumbled, nearly falling, I stepped forward. With a swift and graceful motion, I raised my hand, summoning a burst of energy that cut through the air. The demonic bull reared up in surprise, and with a final, decisive strike, I unleashed a powerful spell that dispatched the beast, its form dissipating into nothingness.

Eadric collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, his eyes wide with a mix of relief and awe. I approached him, my demeanor calm and composed.

“Thou didst call for aid, and aid I have provided,” I said, offering him a hand to help him up. “The trials of magic are harsh, but they are necessary for thy training. The creature thou faced was a test of thy resolve.”

Eadric took my hand, still shaking. “That was... insane. I wasn’t expecting anything like that.”

I nodded, understanding his shock. “In the world of magic, one must often confront fears and challenges. This was but a beginning. We shall work together to prepare thee for what is to come.”

As Eadric’s legs continued to shake, I decided to assist him further. With a flick of my hand, I used my magic to gently lift him off the ground and levitate him back towards the cottage. His eyes widened in surprise as he floated, the ground slowly receding from beneath him.

Upon reaching the cottage, I set him down carefully and handed him a steaming cup of tea. “Drink this. It will help thee regain thy composure.”

Eadric took the cup with a hesitant look, his hands still trembling slightly. He took a cautious sip, his face contorting into an exaggerated grimace. “What in the world is this? It’s like drinking liquid charcoal!”

I watched with a composed expression, though I could feel a small hint of amusement at his reaction. “’Tis a herbal tea,” I explained, “not all tastes are to one’s liking.”

Eadric took another sip, trying to mask his discomfort, but the bitterness was clearly not to his taste. “You weren’t kidding about that. It’s like you’ve combined every bitter herb in existence into one cup. I’ll have to develop a taste for it, I suppose.”

I merely nodded, a faint glimmer of a smile playing at the corners of my lips, though I did not allow myself to laugh or show any overt amusement. “’Tis a remedy for many things. It may be an acquired taste, but it shall serve thee well.”

Eadric sighed and set the cup down, still making a face. “Well, at least I’m not being chased by demonic bulls anymore. I suppose I can manage the tea.”

After watching him struggle through another sip of the bitter tea, I stood and gestured toward the door. “Come. The tea hath done its work, and now it is time for thee to learn something far more essential.”

Eadric groaned as he stood, still rubbing his legs. “As long as it doesn’t involve another demonic bull, I’m in.”

We stepped outside into the yard, the air crisp and fresh with the scents of the surrounding garden. The space was wide and clear, the sky above a bright blue, unmarred by any sign of threat. Here, away from the creatures and chaos, we would begin the next step in his journey.

“This place is safe,” I assured him. “Here, thou shalt learn the essence of magic—how to feel the flow of mana within and without.”

Eadric raised an eyebrow, his skepticism returning. “Right, mana. How exactly am I supposed to ‘feel’ something I’ve never even known existed?”

I motioned for him to sit on the ground, and I joined him, sitting cross-legged. “Close thy eyes. Empty thy mind of all distractions and feel the world around thee.”

He hesitated, but eventually followed my instructions, closing his eyes with a sigh. I watched him for a moment, noting how his face scrunched with effort.

“Thou must not force it,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “Let it come to thee, as the wind doth pass through the trees, unseen yet ever present.”

Eadric relaxed slightly, his brow smoothing as he tried again. “So, I’m just... supposed to sit here and... wait?”

“Aye,” I replied. “Wait, and in time, the mana that surrounds thee shall make itself known.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***