Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 14-B

'Now, Axel, you have to practice the spell. With practice, you can improve the spell and it will work better for you,' said Mintridge carefully.

Axel shook his head.

'Can I learn something else?' asked Axel.

Mintridge looked at him worriedly, 'Are you afraid of your Shifter Shield?'

Axel did not nod or shake his head.

'If the spell is already amazing, I don't need to improve on it,' said Axel curtly.

Mintridge stared at his face – thoughtful and concerned. He knew he had been a difficult student. The first week was alright, but when Axel refused to practice the Shield Spell and Mintridge refused to teach him attacking spells, Axel started to rebel. She had kept repeating the common spells – to Axel, they were useless to him. Except for the Shield Spell which Mintridge had insisted that he should master.

But that was the last thing Axel wanted to do. People still looked at him in awe at the mention of his Shifter Shield. Elliot would ask him to cast it often, just to look at it, Margaret too. Stanley had even asked him for tips – who was he to teach a Lieutenant in MaxPol a spell that he had only known for a few days?

'Can I learn something else?' repeated Axel adamantly, 'Something useful.'

'Alright, we can practice Clipeato again when you are ready,' said Mintridge finally, 'There is another spell that works something like the Shield Spell, but instead, it is a Protective Spell. Unlike the Shield Spell which purpose is to protect only the caster, the Protective Spell protects anything the caster wants to, including at yourself. But normally, you will cast the Shield Spell at yourself, because it is stronger and you can control it better, and you cast the Protective Spell at other people whom you need to protect. So, for example, if we are attacked, I will cast the Shield Spell at myself and the Protective Spell at you.'

Axel nodded eagerly – it seemed like a spell he would prefer, he could protect other people with it.

'Take your basic stance,' said Mintridge.

Axel quickly got into position.

'You will need to point your wand at the person or thing that you want to cast this spell at,' said Mintridge.

She summoned a stool and placed it in front of Axel. As with any new spell, Mintridge would show it once to Axel before he would try it out. So far, everything that Mintridge had shown to him, Axel had managed to execute; sometimes, with even more power, like the Shield Spell.

Mintridge pointed her wand at the stool and muttered, 'Praesidium.'

A purple glow surrounded the stool, like a layer of veil over the stool. Mintridge then removed the spell and traced the word 'Praesidium' on the whiteboard for Axel to recite.

Axel stared at the word on the whiteboard and mouthed the word 'Praesidium' a few times. He then faced the stool, repositioned his stance and pointed his Ebony wand at it. After using his Ebony wand diligently for about a week, it felt like a part of him now, like an extension of his arm.

'Praesidium,' muttered Axel.

A soft, red glow surrounded the stool. He could feel a tinge of gladness in his heart, though not as distinct as when he had casted the Shield Spell. His Praesidium did not look as solid as Mintridge's; it looked shaky too.

'Not bad for a first time,' said Mintridge optimistically, 'This is what you should be getting. Once you practice more, it will grow stronger.'

Axel nodded eagerly. He wanted his Protective Spell to be strong. The stronger the better. He wanted to be able to protect other people; people around him. People who risked their lives for him.