The Reflections Saga - The World Through the Mirror

Part 4

 Over the course of the last week Sage has been spending his time in the library where he's been studying the tome that Magdalen has given him, he's scared to use the windreading spell else something bad may happen if he gets distracted. During this time he got to know some of the other mages who spent their time at the library studying like him. There were a pair of human wizards who happen to be twins, Cassandra and Baron, along with a half-oni sorcerer named Kai. The trio helped Sage understand some of the points he couldn't quite grasp as he's still fairly new to the magical world and still nervous to use his powers else he lose control. Kai being a rather moody and shut off person hasn't helped much but her drab personality is offset by Baron's natural aura of positivity and encouragement, supporting Sage and being a font for him to pick when it comes to some concepts he has trouble understanding.

After eating lunch with Cassandra, Sage decides to return to the library to study some more, Cassandra notices how diligently he's been studying over the past week, "why are you spending so much time studying? You could use a break to relax and unwind, because I find it easier to absorb information after I've relaxed a bit," she tells him softly.

Sage pauses and turns back to her, "but if I want to start classes this year I have to study and prove to Magdalen I understand otherwise I'll have to wait another year," he replies with a smile hiding the tremble in his voice. Sage is finding it difficult to learn everything fast enough because he's only been able to read half the tome in the week he's had and the stress of not being able to join the friends he's made irritates him a little. He give Cassandra a warm smile with a determined look on his face, "I'll be sure to join you in classes next year," he says with a determined tone as he parts ways with Cassandra heading for the library.

Arriving at the library he finds a quiet corner where he can focus on reading the tome, he opens to a section explaining how mana flows through all life and that magic is the manipulation of mana to allow the user to cast a spell. The different classes of mages cast in various ways, sorcerers can manipulate the mana within their own body to cast a variety of spells but without proper training this can be unruly, unless a focus is used to channel the mana. Druids can manipulate the mana in the world around them to devastating effect able to turn the world around them into a weapon. Wizards tend to use the mana in their bodies as a fuel source for rituals where they have to gather material components to cast a spell like a recipe and if skilled enough can store the spells within an item for later use. Warlocks who have made a pact with a higher level being, that use their bodies as a conduit for the power they receive from the being and generally cast using a magic circle to direct the power.

Sage noticing the mention of a focus and sifts though the tome locating the section explaining them, he finds the chapter titled, Arcane Focuses. The chapter begins by describing what an arcane focus is, 'An arcane focus is a special item, an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand like length of wood, or similar item designed to channel the mana of a sorcerer into a more manageable and controllable form.' He keeps reading and believes it to be a good idea to maybe ask Magdalen if it would be a good idea for him to have a focus just as a safety net if his powers go wild. His momentary success is soured by the following line, 'A focus is a specialised tool that is unique to the sorcerer that creates it, either by imbuing a compatible item with their own mana or by the means of creating one with it.' Sage's expression drops as he learns this.

Sage picks himself up and keeps reading determined to learn all he can by the end of the week, he tries to zone out but is distracted by some other students and isn't able to focus and plants his head on the table for a moment to try and consolidate his thoughts and process what he's already read and figured out. He's shocked back upright as a cool voice mutters from behind him, "you look stressed you should take a break," the voice calls out as Sage turns.