Chapter 3: A lesson in magic

A chilling breeze blows through the leaves around us. One thing I always loved about fall back on earth was the beauty of the changing leaves. The Isealia forest around me here is even greater. Bright reds, oranges, along with some greens bask against the bright blue-sky fill my sight no matter where I turn. The brisk fall air makes me feel alert, and ready for whatever this world throws at me.

Moreover, in its everlasting logic, this world has decided to throw at me, me longer being human. Being the half-elf that I am though, I've decided it would be a good idea to learn magic.

"Okay for explosion, you allow your manna to focus in one spot, and then release it to the sky. You then convert it to fire, and bring it down in one huge blast," Genis explains to me.

"Could we start with something simpler?"

"Like what?"

"Fireball maybe?"

"Really, even half-elves that don't practice magic can still do that one." Thanks Genis…

"I'm not like most half-elves you'll meet." How many of them were a human less than a week ago? All things considered though, things haven't been too bad. In the three days since I woke up, I've been amazed by the kindness of the Sages and Colette.

Colette has come to visit me everyday to see how I was doing. She keeps apologizing for slamming my head through the wall, no matter how many times I tell her it's okay. After she saved me, how mad could I be at her?

After I got over Raine's suspicions, we've gotten along well, especially since I'm willing to learn about the history of Sylverant. It's a bit confusing, but when I have nothing better to do while I heal, I might as well learn about where I am and how to get back.

"You've never used magic before?" he asks which wakes me out of my thoughts.

"Nope, I've never had someone even teach me the basics."

"What about your parents?"

"It's a long story with them." I figure it's safer to be vague about my past, at least for now.

"Well, okay, close your eyes and focus on the mana around you."

I do as he says, and try focusing, even though I'm not really sure what it feels like. I can feel there's a weight to the air, but it energizes me. This must be mana. "Okay, now what do I do with it?"

"Well, you know about the 8 elements right?"

Knowledge of the game is helpful sometimes, even I don't know what's going to happen. "Yea, fire, water, wind, light, thunder, earth, ice, and darkness."

Genis' eyes widened. Apparently, I'm not as clueless as he thought. Actually, I probably am, but that's beside the point. "Um, yea. Okay, what you have to do is gather that mana into you, and then convert it to fire."

I can sense the mana in the air around me, but I don't see how to manipulate it. "Try grabbing it with your mind."

I reach my hand and will the mana to flow around my hand. It takes everything I have, but I can feel it bending to my will. The energy seems concentrated, around my hand, but it feels like it wants to spread out.

"Okay, you've started to get it, now just let it continue to fill your hand until you have a large amount."

"You want me to gather more? I can barely hold what I have now."

"Wow, you must suck."

"Thanks Genis." How can it be so easy for him? This is impossible to gather even a small amount of the mana. He's able to unleash massive spells like indignation easily, while I can't even unleash a fireball. This is pathetic.

"Well, it might help if you had a weapon to focus the mana, but it won't help you much until you learn the basics."

"Like how you use your kendama?"

"Yea, I gather the mana into the kendama, and then once I have it built up, I convert it into the necessary element to unleash the spell."

"Any advice on gathering it though?"

It takes him a while to respond. I can tell he thinks I'm a pathetic mage, and I'd have to agree with him. I mean, I didn't expect to be casting meteor storm right away, but I didn't think it would be this hard.

"Well, are you trying to pull it into your hand?"

"Yea, isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"

"That's why you're having so much trouble then. It's much easier if you just hold onto it as it flows around you. If you are able to focus solely on holding it, you should be able to gather more."

I do as he says and surprisingly it works. Just by holding onto what flows around me, it continues to build. I can feel the power all around me, but I know this is only a fraction of the strength of this mana. I've seen what this power could do in the game, so I had better be careful with it. Once I get more experience, then I can cause big booms!

"Okay, that should be enough to cast a simple spell," he says, and in less then a second, he gathers the same amount of mana in his hand. Way to be a showoff you little mage. "Now, one of the simplest spell is fireball. You need to convert that mana into fire than you unleash it."

"So how do I do that?"

He chuckles slightly, "I guess I expected you to ask that. Anyway, close your eyes and picture a fireball in your mind." I do and I see a faint flame against a black background, "Okay, now enlarge it, and imagine it with all your senses." It's growing larger, and I can almost hear it cracking. The smell of wood burning seems to feel my nostrils. The heat is growing and I fear it could burn me if it gets much bigger. "Okay, I think you have it. Now overlay that image on the mana in your hand."

I picture myself holding the flame in my hands I can fell the heat it my hands building. "Like this?"

"Yea, I think you have it. Now open your eyes."

I do, and the sight of fire in my hand amazes me. I can't believe I did it; I made fire. It might only be a small flame, but I did it. This is so awesome.

"Wait," he says and nervously looks around…

"I do something wrong?" Maybe he's discovered that I'm really the most awesome mage to ever grace his presence. Yea, I know that can't be it, but I can dream, can't I?

"No, I must have just heard an animal in the woods." He doesn't seem convinced of that answer. "Now for the last part of the spell, releasing it."

I nearly forgot that I had this fireball in my hand. Maybe I should pay more attention so I don't set the forest on fire. "So how do I do that, teach?"

"You know how've been holding the mana in place?"

"Yea?"

"Release it while pushing the mana out."

I hold my palm out, and let my grip on the mana fade. As I try pushing it, I see the fireball burst from my hand. It collides into a nearby tree leaving a small charred mark.

"Nice, you actually pulled it off."

"Maybe I'm not completely hopeless after all."

"I wouldn't go that far, but at least you were able to execute a spell."

"So, time for ground dasher?" We both laugh. I know I'll be lucky not to set myself on fire with this, but maybe I can become competent one day.

Rustling in the bushes all around us, catches our attention. "Tiger, you heard it that time, right?" he whispers to me.

"Yea." I notice him gathering the mana around him. It's a much more powerful spell this time. If someone wants a fight, they'll get one.

"Show yourself!"

I began gathering mana in my hand again. If this becomes a fight, I don't want to slow him down. I know I'm nowhere near as strong as him, but maybe I can at least defend myself.

Several swordsmen emerge from the bushes. They slightly remind me of the renegade warriors, but better armored. "Lay down your weapons and come with us if you want to live."

"Apparently you don't know who you're messing with." Genis quickly gathers mana for another spell. "Freeze lancer!" he says firing his attack at them. The ice slices through their armor, sending two of them to the ground. Their apparently leader is still standing, but his blood pours through the openings in his armor.

"Men, come out and take them alive."

Soon we are surrounded by no less than 20 warriors. They completely surround us.

"I'll make an opening then you need to run."

I don't want to run though. We both know I'll be useless in a battle, but I can't just leave Genis here. I can't let him just die though. There might be a way for us to both get away safely.

"Okay, that might work."

"Engulf these pathetic souls, ground dasher!" The earth seems to explode around the swordsman, blowing them away in a fury of rocks. "Now go!"

"Got it." I bend down, lift the half elf off the ground, and begin running.

"What are you doing!?"

"Getting both of us out of here." I may not be the fastest runner, but I'm able to run while avoiding the dead bodies and escape into the forest before the others can reach us. After a couple minuets of running, I set Genis down and take a few heavy breaths. Note to self, work on endurance.

"That wasn't part of the plan."

"Hey, we both got out of there unharmed, right?"

A sharp pain erupts in him shoulder sending me to my knees. There is a spear lodged into my shoulder. Not good. My blood pours out and I'm getting light headed. This is bad.

"You okay Tiger?" Really, Genis? Yea, I'm perfectly fine and dandy. I've had a lovely day with my friends today, and my life isn't in any danger. I also am living in a world with indoor plumbing.

"No! This hurts and I'm getting really sleepy."

My vision is becoming cloudy but I can still make out several of the warriors coming through the forest after us. I fall to the ground as Genis begins casting spells in their direction. Soon though, I'm gone.

A/N: Well, as you can see, Tiger is useless in a fight. This isn't going to be one of those inserts where the he becomes stronger than the heroes for no apparent reason. Once my life becomes slightly less hectic I hope to focus on this fic. Review please?