Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 13-B

Mintridge summoned a whiteboard and sure enough, there was a long list of spells for Axel to learn and practice. The spells written on the whiteboard, presumably what he needed to learn for the day, were mainly everyday spells, like opening the door, switching off the lights, levitating and summoning small items.

They spent the next hour practicing those spells and checking them off.

'You need a break,' said Mintridge worriedly.

Axel breathed heavily as he gripped at his wand tightly, his hand shaking slightly. All he did was to stand still and cast spells, but he felt so tired. Thirsty, out of breath, weak. Mintridge made him sat on a chair and summoned a glass of water to him.

'Maybe because this is the first time you are using your Magical Quotient. Each time you cast a spell, you will lose some Quotient. You don't know how to control them that's why you are feeling weak,' said Mintridge worriedly.

'I'm fine, I feel better already,' said Axel hurriedly; he did not want to stop training.

Learning the spells made him feel useful – at least, he was doing something and not just sitting in his room doing nothing. It also gave him hope. Hope that he could get out of the mess that he was in. Hope that once he knew all the spells, he could defend himself and he would not need MaxPol protection anymore. He wanted to learn everything as quickly as possible.

'What's next?' asked Axel as he stood up hastily, in a stance ready for the next spell to cast.

Mintridge studied his face for a while, before she nodded, 'Just one more spell, alright, before we will call it a day...'

'But...'

'No 'buts', I am the trainer here,' snapped Mintridge sternly.

Axel was taken aback by the sudden hostility. Mintridge had looked exceptionally serious suddenly, no longer the smiling and warm trainer just a moment ago.

'I'm sorry,' muttered Axel nervously.

'You need to know where your line is. You stop when I ask you to stop,' said Mintridge, still stern, but her face had softened.

'Understood,' said Axel warily.

Mintridge gave a nod of acknowledgement.

'This spell will be the most important spell you will learn. It can save your life. Commissioner Linden insisted that you must learn this on your very first lesson. However, it will drain your Quotient more than any spells that you had casted earlier. So, I am worried how it may affect you,' said Mintridge directly.

'I can handle it!' cried Axel anxiously, 'Please, let me try!'

'I have to because I had promised the Commissioner that I will,' said Mintridge with a tinge of regret in her voice, 'It is the Shield Charm, Clipeato,' continued Mintridge, 'In any case that there is an attack or if you feel threatened, this is the first spell that we want you to cast.'

Axel nodded eagerly, taking in every word with his full attention.

Mintridge took the same stance that Axel was in, but she did not point her wand out. Instead, she folded her arms close to her body and placed her hand with her wand just in front of her. Axel quickly followed suit, gripping at his wand tightly – his hands were sweating, and the wand was getting slippery.

'I will show you, so, just watch,' said Mintridge.

Axel nodded again – he was not going to mess with her, he would agree with everything. As long as she would keep teaching him Magic.

'Clipeato,' said Mintridge clearly.

A silver, shimmering mist appeared from the tip of Mintridge's wand – dark brown oak wood, slightly crooked at the handle, but smooth all the way to the tip. The mist formed into a metal shield which acted like a screen, and it hovered right in front of her.