Blade institute: the unseen prophecy

12

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the walls of my room, creating a perfect ambiance for the exploration of the mysteries I had yet to unlock. I had found my old book of magic tucked away in the very corner of my cluttered bookshelf, layered in dust but bursting with untapped knowledge. As I turned the fragile pages, my heart raced with excitement and trepidation. There it was, a detailed passage labeled *"The Spectrum of Magic."* It outlined various forms of magic and described how one could identify their alignments within the arcane arts.

With newfound resolve, I followed the instructions meticulously. I decided to dig deeper into my connection with light magic, the kind that resonated with warmth and hope. Closing my eyes, I began to concentrate, shutting out the distractions of the world outside. The book had advised that I channel my energy from my core, visualizing it as a glow spreading throughout my body. So I stood there, unwaving, feeling the energy accumulating like a ball of radiant light.

However, as I dug deeper into the process, a shiver of foreboding pricked at the edges of my consciousness. It was an unsettling feeling, like a whisper of unease that made the hairs on my arms stand at attention. Despite this, I pressed on, yearning for a clarity that had eluded me for so long. I felt strange energies pulsating around me, faint voices that seemed to murmur just beneath the surface of my awareness. It was as if a veil had been drawn back, revealing a world I was not quite ready to confront.

As my focus sharpened, the energy began to manifest around me. I became aware of unseen forces wrapping gently around my arms and legs—not with menace, but rather with a strange sense of comfort combined with an enticing thrill. It felt like being embraced by a darkness that both soothed and confirmed what I feared: that magic was not just light and brightness but also shadows and whispers.

Peering through the dark shroud, I opened my eyes abruptly, startled to find the shadows dissipating, retreating like whispers of smoke. They faded from my vision as I faltered, losing my concentration. A tightening sensation in my chest made me anxious as I shut the book with a nervous thud. What had I experienced? Was I truly connecting with my magic, or had I merely wandered too far into the obscure corners of my mind? For now, I needed to distract myself.

Dinner beckoned, and as I walked to the communal dining area, I tried to shake off the lingering unease. The chatter and laughter of my friends filled the space, serving as a balm to the frayed edges of my thoughts. I settled down at the table and found myself surrounded by familiar faces—Ethan, Sam, and surprisingly, Rian, whom I didn't expect to see. The ease of their familiarity made my heart momentarily lift, though Rian's demeanor remained distant.

"Guess who got his butt kicked during practice today!" Ethan declared, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Laughter erupted around the table as I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

"Please, it's not like you were much better!" Sam shot back, chortling. "That sack of potatoes you call an offensive move was embarrassing!"

Their playful banter swirled around me, a comforting noise, and I couldn't help but join in. "If you're both getting schooled by each other, maybe I should take up training too," I quipped, nudging Ethan playfully.

Rian offered a slight smile at that, but it felt fleeting; he soon turned his gaze back to his plate, picking at the food as if it had become particularly interesting just then.

"So, Rian, how's training been for you?" Sam prodded, wanting to draw him into the conversation.

"It's going... okay," Rian responded with a hint of reluctance, his voice almost too soft to hear over the chatter. The way he spoke left more questions than answers, but his energy felt distant, like he was physically present yet mentally elsewhere.

"Just okay?" Ethan chimed in, feigning disbelief. "I saw you practicing earlier! That last move was impressive!"

Rian shrugged, refusing to dive deeper into the subject. Jessica, seated across from him, decided now was the perfect time to offer a bright smile, leaning in slightly, her interest undoubtedly piqued. "You should show us some of your moves sometime," she suggested, her tone light and flirtatious, laced with undeniable charm already.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes internally. Of course, I thought. Rian was like a magnet for Jessica's attention; she always seemed to swarm around him like bees to honey. Rian casually glanced at her, a flicker of amusement crossing his features, but there was a certain wariness there too. He returned her flirtation with a measured response, holding back a wider smile, trying to maintain a balance between engaging with Jessica and keeping his distance.

The warmth of the dinner filled the room, laughter echoing, juxtaposed against the chaotic clash of my earlier experience with magic. Shadows are mysteries lurking in the unseen; I felt their quiet call at the corners of my thoughts. As I watched my friends interact, I battled with the urge to probe deeper into that experience, to understand what had come over me in those moments alone.

Yet, I couldn't allow myself to dwell too long on the unknown as laughter intertwined with the clinking of silverware, and the glorious banter washed over and tired away my fears, drawing me momentarily away from the enigmatic shadows that had briefly wrapped around me. There was a magic here too, one of friendship, laughter, and the shared joy of being together.

"Hey! Anyone up for dessert after this?" Ethan interrupted the atmosphere, bouncing with enthusiasm. "I can guarantee it'll be worth it!"

And so, the conversation shifted, layered in sweetness. I chuckled along with my friends, vowing to explore the magic within me later—at least for the night, shadows could wait. I wanted to savor the light instead, to infuse myself in the laughter and the camaraderie while I could, for who knew what the next paths of magic would reveal?