The Fox, Red

076 - Graduation Gift

Every day has been a blur but according to the calendar, it's been months and we are creeping up on graduation day. Garrett, Terrison, Ivy, and Brant are doing their parts to get everything ready. I'm working on ensuring that the locker we reserved for our Class A's is cleaned out. Any dust, lint, or blemish on these uniforms needs to be addressed immediately. We have one more dress inspection in two days. After that, we sit around for a week to clean up, return equipment that was issued, and do what we can to not injure ourselves.

We were warned constantly how there were recruits who had made it to the end who did something stupid that landed them in the hospital and they were delayed. I'm not sure that matters here. The ceremony isn't that public. Close family members are allowed to come but they are loaded up into a bus from a parking lot and shuttled in. The rest of us are lined up, paraded around, and then we go through the motions before we are dismissed.

I was informed that we are given 10 days of mandatory leave to go home before we have to report for our orders. That is what is bothering me. The 10 days' leave would give me more than enough time to head back to the manor but could I face her again? After all this time, could I just walk back? I guess no matter what I think I have been prepared for there are still things that rattle me deeper.

The other guys are excited though. "Welch! You got a lady back home waiting for you?" Water off a duck's back. "I wish!" I just have to let it go. Brant starts talking about his girl and how he was excited to tell her about how he discovered his powers during the first week of training. He started working himself up at the idea that maybe she does as well but just needs help to understand it. I sit back and wonder if that's a good idea.

It's been beaten into me by Madam Odette that the world of magic is hidden away for a reason. She told me about the Salem witch trials where the villagers there went crazy. Accusing their neighbors and killing them for a false belief that they were witches. Then imagine that, but worldwide. People are afraid of change, things that are different, and what they cannot understand. Magic users fit into all three of these.

After spending the last few months learning magic from a military perspective, I can see why. I've used magic for a constructive or utility purpose. A lot of what I've learned here is aggressive. It's meant to cause harm. I imagine that with my abilities it could be used on a mass scale. I'd rather not. I figured that it would have its uses in an offensive capability. I have used it in such a capacity. But if I had my choice, I would rather not.

It wasn't all destructive. They did have some valuable lessons in first aid. Not just magical. They had practical applications as well with a proper kit. The idea behind it was simply that if you are in an area where you cannot perform magic then you need to have the knowledge to perform something. "They are relying on you to not let them die!" is what was drilled into our heads.

At this moment! We have been given a bit of freedom. The days are almost ours to do what we need to. We still need to show up to afternoon PT but other than that, we are free to move about the base. I spend a lot of my time in the training room. I work on my magic basics to ensure I keep my skills sharp. I've also noticed that I'm able to have greater output and use it for longer periods. I imagine that mana is much like stamina or muscle strength. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Magic can also become more efficient the more you work with it. You learn how to trim off some portions of elements or what you need to refine or not refine. Adding that up can make a huge difference in the production of spells and abilities.

Brant and Ivy drop by to remind me to eat. And to make fun of me for not taking it easy. I have to remind myself that I am not under Madam Odette's care. Some habits die hard. But when it comes down to it there is a clear difference in skill between me and the rest of the squad. I'm not sure if that's my understanding of magic or just talent. I can still tap into that power that I have hidden away now and again. I've learned a few extra things while I am here.