Chapter 6: Branches of Power
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The early light of dawn spilled into the training chamber as Yennefer and Harry stood opposite one another, the air alive with anticipation. Yennefer's violet eyes glinted with focus as she assessed Harry, who watched her intently, waiting for the day's lesson to begin. They had been training together for weeks now, and Harry's progress had been nothing short of extraordinary. Yennefer had seen students learn quickly before, but Harry absorbed knowledge like a sponge, a hunger for magic in his eyes that she had rarely encountered.
"There are several branches of magic, Harry," she began, pacing slowly as she spoke. "Mages are often attuned to one area, though the more powerful among us can develop varied skills across branches. But today, we'll focus on a particular branch—one that's both powerful and precise." She paused, ensuring she had Harry's full attention. "Kinesis magic."
Harry tilted his head slightly. "Kinesis?"
Yennefer nodded. "Yes. Magic involving the suffix '-kinesis' refers to the manipulation of the physical world. It's the ability to exert mental influence over matter and energy—sometimes even controlling it completely. This is where the idea of magic as 'The Art' comes from. Kinesis requires talent and precision; it's an art form in itself."
Harry's eyes lit up, eager to absorb everything she was saying. Yennefer continued, gesturing with her hand. "Take telekinesis, for example. It's the ability to influence—or in rare cases, control—matter and energy around you. Whether it's physical objects or forces, telekinesis allows a mage to move things with their mind. A mage well-tuned to this skill can be incredibly dangerous. Imagine a battle where your enemy can control the weapons in your hands—or worse, the air in your lungs."
Harry shivered, a mix of awe and apprehension settling in. "That sounds… powerful."
"It is," Yennefer affirmed, "and it's just one branch. Another is pyrokinesis—the ability to generate and control fire. Not only can a skilled mage summon flames at will, but they can also shape the fire into tools or constructs, expand existing blazes, or even smother them. This kind of magic requires both artistry and control."
Harry's eyes widened. "So… it's not just about casting spells. It's about controlling things with your mind?"
Yennefer smiled, pleased at his understanding. "Precisely. Kinesis magic is about bending the world around you to your will. The best mages can manipulate their environment with finesse—sometimes even before their opponents know what's happening." She paused, her eyes softening. "And, Harry, you have an affinity for this. You've shown immense potential."
Harry's cheeks flushed, and he rubbed the back of his neck. "As long as I can be as good as you someday, I'll be happy."
Yennefer's expression softened further, and she offered him a fond smile. "I have no doubt you'll surpass even me." She placed her hand on his shoulder, a reassuring gesture. "Now, let's begin. We'll start with pyrokinesis."
Yennefer moved a few paces away, lifting her hand as a small flame appeared in her palm, flickering gently. "I want you to focus on the energy in the air. Picture it gathering in your hand—feel the warmth and pull it toward you. When you can feel it build, imagine the fire taking shape."
Harry nodded, closing his eyes as he steadied his breathing. The air around him felt alive, buzzing with untapped potential. He reached out with his senses, feeling the pulse of energy that surrounded him. Slowly, he raised his hand, and the air around his fingers began to warm. A faint spark ignited in his palm, then grew into a small, dancing flame.
He opened his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. "I did it!"
Yennefer's smile grew. "Good. Now, I want you to shape it." She guided him through the process, demonstrating as she formed a spiral with her flame before extinguishing it. "Imagine the flame as a tool—bend it, shape it, make it obey your will."
Harry's eyes focused as he tried again. The flame in his hand twisted, contorting into a coil that mirrored Yennefer's. With a final push of concentration, he extinguished it. Yennefer's expression was one of pride as she clapped softly. "Well done, Harry. You have a natural aptitude."
Harry's grin widened. "What's next?"
Yennefer laughed softly. "Eager as always. Let's try telekinesis." She gestured toward a small stack of training daggers on a nearby table. "I want you to lift one of those daggers. Don't use your hands—reach out with your mind. Visualize the magic connecting you to the object, then pull it toward you."
Harry took a deep breath, focusing his gaze on one of the daggers. He felt the hum of magic beneath his skin and reached out with his senses, connecting to the air around the blade. At first, nothing happened. He furrowed his brow, willing the dagger to move. Slowly, it wobbled, then lifted off the table, floating unsteadily in the air.
Yennefer watched intently, her eyes bright with approval. "That's it. Steady now. Guide it."
Harry exhaled slowly, and the dagger moved smoothly, following the path he visualized. He maneuvered it through the air, then gently set it back down on the table. The entire process took seconds, but the look of concentration on his face showed his intense focus.
"Excellent control, Harry," Yennefer praised, her voice filled with pride. "Most novices take weeks to move objects with that kind of precision."
Harry's cheeks flushed with pride. "It felt… easier than I thought it would."
"That's because you have a gift," Yennefer said warmly. "Your potential is immense, and you're adapting to these skills faster than I ever expected." She paused, then added, "Now, let's try something with a bit more force."
Yennefer moved to a row of training dummies positioned along the side of the room. She raised her hand, and a burst of kinetic energy shot forth, slamming into one of the dummies and sending it skidding backward. "This is a controlled kinetic blast—similar to the aard sign Geralt uses. Channel the force around you and project it outward."
Harry nodded, his face serious as he positioned himself in front of a dummy. He closed his eyes, feeling the magic build in his core. The air around him shimmered as he extended his hand, and with a concentrated shout, he unleashed a burst of energy. The kinetic blast shot forward, hitting the dummy squarely and sending it flying across the room.
Yennefer's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Perfect! You're mastering this far quicker than I anticipated."
Harry beamed. "I love this! It's like… it's like I'm connected to everything around me."
Yennefer's heart swelled at his excitement. "That's exactly what it is, Harry. Magic is all around us. You're learning to tap into it—and with your talent, there's no limit to what you might achieve."
They spent the next hour working through various exercises, with Yennefer guiding Harry through the finer points of controlling his power. They practiced shaping fire, summoning blasts of energy, and moving objects of different sizes and weights. Each task, no matter how difficult, seemed to come naturally to Harry. His focus was unbroken, and his enthusiasm never wavered.
At one point, Yennefer had Harry try lifting multiple objects at once—daggers, practice swords, and small weights scattered across the room. To her amazement, Harry lifted all of them with ease, guiding each through the air as if they were extensions of himself.
She watched, her expression a mixture of pride and wonder. "You're blasting through all of my expectations, Harry." She placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze warm. "I've never seen anyone learn so quickly. If you continue like this, there's no telling what you'll be able to accomplish."
Harry's face lit up with determination. "I'll keep going. I want to be strong. I want to be like you."
Yennefer's eyes softened, and she smiled fondly. "You're already on your way, Harry. And I have no doubt you'll go far beyond that."
As they wrapped up the lesson, Harry's excitement was palpable. He felt a sense of purpose he had never known before. Under Yennefer's guidance, the magic felt alive, as if it was becoming a part of him, and he knew there was no other place he'd rather be.
Yennefer watched him, her thoughts drifting. She had trained many students before, but there was something special about Harry. His talent was prodigious, but it was his heart—his enthusiasm and determination—that set him apart. She felt a protective instinct swell within her, one she hadn't felt in years.
"Let's end here for today," she said, squeezing his shoulder gently. "You've done incredibly well."
Harry's eyes shone with pride. "Thank you, Yennefer. I'll keep training—I want to learn everything."
Yennefer's smile grew, a rare warmth filling her expression. "And you will. One step at a time, Harry. We'll get there."
As they left the training chamber, Harry's heart was light, and Yennefer's was filled with a quiet, growing affection for the boy who reminded her of the power of magic, and the power of potential.
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Another chapter down guys, this focuses on one of the branches of witcher magic, as stated officially, -kinesis magic, this will be explored deeper as chapters progress and don't worry, Ciri and Geralt will be present next chapter, so stay tuned, thanks for the support and God bless all of you.
