The great limit!
The manna is the essence of magic itself, it´s a projection of it in our realm, as easy as that. But when the Willpower of a being is not strong enough to control the manna or the manna is way too much it tends to escape the user and turn into some kind of plasmatic goo.
The time flew and the Moon rose up, indicating that it was time to go back to the sweet land of impossible dreams and broken hopes.
-There´s something weird about him…I don't know what it is…but it´s not normal. I saw him when he got up and turned- thought Erin while lying on his bed and looking at the roof.
-There´s something different about Yuri…something cold comes from within him… not a normal cold, but cold a last…and those eyes…and that attitude….he´s cute…- thought Tara poking over the window of Yuri´s room.
-something´s wrong with me…I can feel it…it´s not normal that I was that good with the sword in just a couple of days…and that anxiety to fight Bromel…I don´t dislike it, but I don´t know what it is…- thought Yuri as he petted Mefis.
-Something´s bothering you tell me what it is- said Mefis with a quiet smooth voice as she got on Yuri and looked deep into his eyes.
The Moon showered the night sky with silver light. The Wind singed a beautiful song as the Stars danced along on the night plane. Then the Sun rose up and ruined the beautiful dance they were performing.
-Damn…I hate to wake up…- said Yuri as he opened his eyes and saw the sunlight. - It´s just 6:30 AM
-¡Yuri! ¡Yuri! - said Erin out loud as he knocked the door repeatedly.
- I´m coming, I'm coming- answered Yuri as he walked to the door with tousled hair.
- ¡Yuri! - yelled Erin once again.
-¡ I said "I´m coming"! - answered Yuri as he opened the door.
-¿ what do you want? - asked Tara coming out from under the bed.
-¿ what are you doing here? - asked Yuri nit very surprised.
-I was bored- answered the Cold witch.
-Huh, well, just look at that- said Yuri- anyway, ¿what do you want?
-¿may I come in? - asked Erin with begging eyes.
-that depends on what you want, ¿what do you want? - asked Yuri with impatient eyes.
- I have a test at 8:10 AM, it´s about magic; we have to create a fireball level 3- explained Erin quite altered.
-And…. - said Yuri waiting to know what was his place in that problem.
- The thing is that when it comes to spells Erin is like a rock on the ocean- said Tara with a peaceful face.
Yuri indicated Erin to come in.
-I´m bad in this kind of things- said Erin as he came into the bedroom.
-No, I´m bad at fire spells; you are worse than useless when it comes to ALL kind of magic- repeated Tara.
-¡You are not helping! - yelled Erin sitting on a chair.
-I never said I was going to help you- answered Tara poking at Mefis.
-Ok, ok, but first, tell me at what level of the fireball can you get- asked Yuri looking at Erin carefully.
-Sometimes I get to manage level 2- answered Erin with a hint of shame on the face.
-Le…level…2…- said Yuri with a twitching eye-…well…do it…
Erin put his hands together and started to concentrate. After 8 seconds a small flame appeared between his hands…and after 18 seconds the flame grew a little bit more, like an ember, but then it disappeared.
-…- Yuri remained in silence trying not to yell at Erin.
Yuri put his hand in front of him and in about three seconds a huge flame covered his hand.
-that´s what you have to manage- said Yuri with a serious face.
-¿¡ to…that!?- asked Erin astonished,
-You´re right, you are far too useless- answered Yuri with a face of disappointment as he reduced the flame to a fireball of the size of a melon.
-¿how am I supposed to get to that? - asked Erin pointing at the sphere.
Yuri made the flame to disappear.
-Easy, focus, imagine a bonfire standing in front of you and it´s fading, you have to put more wood logs in it, but it´s a weak flame, so you have to do it nice and slow- recommended Yuri creating a tiny flame and making it grow then disappear.
-¿so I have to put more wooden logs in my flame? - asked Erin with a spark of joy in his face.
-It´s a metaphor, the manna is the wood in this case- replied Yuri trying not to yell at Erin.
-¡oh, I get it now! - exclaimed Erin full of joy.
- ¡Great! - said Yuri sarcastically- now get out of here and let me sleep- said Yuri with a fake happy tone as he pointed at the door.
-Ok, ¿would you mind to go to the test? - asked Erin as he went closer to the door.
-I have to; we´re I need to have a word with Evangeline- answered Yuri as he slammed the door behind Erin and heading back to the bed.
-¿ Do I have to leave as well? - asked Tara while lying on the bed.
-Just give me some space- answered Yuri as he lay beside Tara.
So at long at last Yuri and Tara went to the classroom where the test was meant to take place. As they got in they saw Erin sitting on a chair in the middle of the room with a lot of drops of sweat sliding down his temple. Evangeline appeared in the classroom with her typical face of happiness and joy.
-¡so you´re finally here! - said Evangeline joyfully to Erin with a big smile on her face.
Many students came into the classroom and took a seat.
-¿Are you ready, Erin? You have been running away from this test for 5 months now, you had a lot of time to prepare- said Evangeline with a cheerful tone on her voice.
Erin stood up in front of the class and put his hands together, and then a small flame appeared.
-Stage 1, coal- said Evangeline to Erin in complete calm.
They waited about 10 seconds, but nothing changed.
-¡Come on! - thought Erin as the flame grew a little bit more.
-Stage 2, ember- said Evangeline with big shiny eyes- you´re almost there.
-¡come on, do it! - thought Yuri as Erin seemed to put more effort on his focus.
Then the flame grew to a decent size flame.
-¡Excellent! ¡Stage 3, kindling! ¡Terrific! - congratulated Evangeline as Erin´s flame vanished and he lay back on the wall exhausted.
Erin sited on a chair and Evangeline stood in front of the class.
-so now you´ve seen 3 stages of the fireball spell- said Evangeline creating a stage 3 fireball with no effort- ¿who can name the stages of the fireball spell?
A golden hair girl raised her hand.
-there are five levels in spells as well as five stages in the fireball spell, which are: coal, ember, kindling, conflagration and Sun- said the girl.
-Well- said Evangeline as she turned her back to the class and letting a small malicious smile out- there´s a sixth level in spells as well as a sixth stage in the fireball spell…
Yuri trembled and his flipped, his eyes practically fell apart and placed his gaze on Evangeline´s eyes. She was looking at him sideways with grim eyes that seemed to wish pain to Yuri.
-¿ is something wrong? - asked Tara as she saw Yuri´s eyes trying to tear Evangeline apart.
-it´s just a bitter memory- answered Yuri- it´s about my father.
-Tell me about it…- said Tara wishing to understand his sudden rage.
-when I was about 12 years old some thieves got into Father´s vault during the night looking for the spells he created over the years…- answered Yuri as he clenched his fists and remembered every scene.
Evangeline was carefully listening while she was turning the back to the class.
-…he went to the vault to stop them, I could saw them through a slit in another room…Father knocked one of them down with just one move, but none could had known that one of the thieves learned a spell from the vault…so one of the bastards used dad´s "piercing ice spear" spell…and it pierced my father´s torso…then dad used a level 5 Dah, and it seemed like the end of the robbery - (Dah is draconian for "push")proceeded Yuri.
-¿So your father died because of the spear? - asked Tara as her eyes showed pity for Yuri.
-No…I wish it were that easy…Dad decided that having all those spells stored in a single place was far too dangerous….- answered Yuri.
-¿So he dispersed them through the country? - asked Tara.
-No…he was going to be the only library which would possess such knowledge…so he resolved that the best option was to torch down the scrolls containing the knowledge…nevertheless… the scrolls had a high level barrier spell…it could protect them up to a level 5 spell- corrected Yuri as his eyes looked down.
- That means that…- said Tara, but Yuri interrupted her.
-yeah…he had to use a level 6 technique…dad knew that the best way was burn everything down…so he charged a level 6 spell- completed Yuri like if the memory would hurt him.
-But…- said Tara asking him to go on.
-But one of the thieves got back up and attacked Father from the back…then the flame turned black and exploded…the black flames expanded and then contracted…like if they were alive- answered Yuri remembering his father´s corpse covered in black flames, screaming and crawling in black flames-…everything turned to ashes…
-I´m…I´m sorry…Yuri…-said Tara as she put her arm around Yuri´s back as a tear fell from Yuri´s face.
-Fine, ¿could anyone explain us what the sixth level is and about the sixth stage of the fireball spell- asked Evangeline with a mocking and evil smile.
A dread silence flooded the classroom.
-¿Yuri? - said Evangeline with a malicious smile.
Yuri answered with eyes full of anger.
-The sixth level is known as "InToor", or in our language, "Master Inferno"- (actually, InToor does mean Master Inferno in draconian, In- master, Toor-inferno) answered Yuri with grim face- while the sixth stage is named "Toor"…
-So…- said a student-¿ what´s so special about fire spells?
-fire spells are known for being among the hardest kind of spells besides of pure manna, and just like the dark manna, they get to be incredibly powerful, but they are highly volatile…in most of the cases the firsts tries of sorcerers dealing with level six spells or fire spells or even a small amount of dark manna end up with the sorcerer turned to ashes…there´s even the theory that the dark manna has conscience by itself- answered Yuri with dreadful tone.
-Tell us more about the sixth level- said a girl from the back of the room.
-Yes, Yuri, tell us more- said Evangeline with a mockingly smile to which Yuri answered with face full of rage.
-damn-whispered Yuri- the sixth level is the last and most powerful stage of any spell…yeah it´s the most powerful, dangerous…and costs a lot of manna…in order to achieve the sixth level you have to break the natural limits of the spells.
-Well done, Yuri- said Evangeline applauding- a step forward, please.
-¿why?- asked Yuri disconcerted.
-We are going to test your limits- answered Evangeline.
-I don´t think that´s a good idea- replied Yuri.
-You´re right…¡Off to the grounds! - said Evangeline with joy.
-Damn, and I thought I could get away from this- though Yuri as he accompanied the group to the grounds.
Tara followed Yuri as close as she could. The group finally got to the ground in front of their bedrooms.
-ok-said Evangeline stopping the group and placing Yuri in front of the group-charge a stage 4 or bigger lightning spell- she ordered with her eyes full of excitement.
-¿Why are you so excited? - asked Yuri as he hold his right arm with the left one.
- ¿what do you mean? No, I´m just a little bit anxious- answered Evangeline with a fake smile.
-All right- said Yuri as he turned his attention to his right arm and closed his eyes, then opened them suddenly at the same time he exclaimed, "Qo" (draconian word for lightning).
There was a time back in the youngest days of time when spotting a dragon ("Dovah" in their language) was just as frequent as spotting a butterfly. The dragons were the first race brought to life by Karo. They were the ones who trained the humans back in the first days to use the "Lah" (magicka, manna in draconian). The humans were later selected by Karo to be the guardians of this world, and like any apprentice, the humans revolted against their masters.
Blue jolts of electricity sparkled through Yuri´s right arm. Then Yuri aimed at a rock laying a few meters away from the group, and then a blue lightning blew off from Yuri´s hand and hit the rock. Yuri´s arm then trembled.
-My arm tingles…- said Yuri quietly.
-That´s normal- answered Tara from behind of Yuri.
-¿Do you know any pulse spell? - Asked Evangeline to Yuri at the ear, Yuri nodded- then use it, use the same rock as a target.
-Fus- (force in draconian tongue) whispered Yuri while he aimed to the rock.
The grass around Yuri started to move like if it were being blown by the wind. The rock then started to vibrate and all of the sudden it lifted off the ground, and with a slight wave of his hand the rock flew towards to the trees.
-¡ nicely done! I have to admit that I didn´t really expected you to be this good with spells- congratulated Evangeline to Yuri with joy.
-Thanks- said Yuri as he closed his eyes with a smile of relief.
-Now let´s change to fire spells- said Evangeline, which cause Yuri´s heart to flip.
Like said before, fire spells are until some point similar to the "VulLah" (dark manna), they are extremely linked to the manna, an increase or decrease of manna affects directly the flame, and if your willpower is weaker that the fire it will turn against you.
Yuri put his hands together.
-Yol- (fire, in draconian language) whispered Yuri at the same time a flame born between his hands and it grew quickly- that´s it, stage 4.
-More…- whispered Evangeline to Yuri at the ear.
-¿What? - asked Yuri quietly but still upset.
-Do it, and the real reason of the death of you father will be revealed to you…- whispered Evangeline to Yuri.
Yuri´s eyes trembled and a tear born from his right eye.
Small sparks flew around Yuri like dancing.
-¡Come on! ¡You can do it! - thought Yuri just before the flame grew a little more.
The fire seemed to want to escape from Yuri´s grasp.
-Ok, he managed it to level 5…¿ will he be able to…? - thought Evangeline.
-¿ What´s happening there? - asked Mefis to herself as he watched a slight bright at the distance, then she climbed to the rooftop of the dormitory.
-¡Damn! ¡It burns!- thought Yuri as he focused on the flame.
-¡ He can do it! - thought Tara with a smile.
-Maybe he can´t do it, but at least it will give me a hint of his secret- though Erin looking carefully at Yuri.
-¡No! ¡I have to know!- thought Yuri with rage.
His eyes suddenly turned to crimson. The grass around him burned and turned to ashes.
-¡Amazing! - exclaimed a student.
-¡He´s almost there! - Thought Evangeline- but he needs a small push, Alok (draconian word for Arise).
-This manna…this pressure…it´s like the day when Evan…¡Wait!- thought Mefis as she opened her eyes wide open.
Deep inside of Yuri a hidden strength woke up. Through his crimson eyes a shiny spark glowed, but its nature couldn´t be any darker. Inside the flame that Yuri was holding a small black ember appeared, and like an infection it spread and tainted the whole flame.
-¡He did it! - exclaimed Evangeline.
The flame contracted to a small ember.
-¡Yuri! ¡Stop! - yelled Mefis from over the distance with a huge intensity.
The flame grew and exploded in matter of a second. The black flames wrapped Yuri, the expansive wave pushed everyone around and the explosion was so shiny that the bright was seen from where Mefis was standing.
The flames contracted and only black embers remained over Yuri´s body.
-¿¡W..what happened!?- asked Evangeline without understanding of what just happened.
-¡Yuri! ¡Yuri! ¡Wake up! ¡Wake up!- screamed Tara as the tears born from her eyes and tried to stand up and crawl towards to Yuri.