10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Sep 10 - The Complete Handbook

He looked at the book set before him. It was huge, bound in cracked leather and sporting a long, red ribbon to act as a bookmark. Everybody had received a copy, and some were more excited about it than others.

"You will be expected to read the first chapter before our next lesson." the explained, adjusting her glasses. "Understand that you have entered a part of your life from which there will be no return. Owning that tome is your badge of being a magical being."

"It's begun!" A student cried out. The others giggled.

"So to speak, yes." the teacher took it in her stride, smiling slightly. "I hope, over the course of these two years, you learn how to handle this responsibility properly. For now, though, you may head to your residence early. You're all dismissed." the class was prompt to file out of the room. He followed suit, glancing through the book already.

-----

Magic, as the layman understands it, is nothing more than sleight of hand. They give it the name of magic because they do not understand it. It is more than hiding an object when the user is not looking. It is more than moving multiple items in one motion. It is more than a pretty woman in a revealing outfit, distracting the hapless and lecherous individual with a flash of skin. Magic is far more than any tome can hope to fully explain. It is power. It is freedom. It is the absolute expression of the individual's mind, the will of the caster. It is impossible to explain what it is with mere words. You, the student and aspiring magician, must realise this is a journey the individual makes for and by themselves. To those who wish to travel this road, I can only offer guidance and hopeful prayers.

Magic is, in a literal sense, the manipulation of energies unharvestable by typical means. In older times, it was believed that this could only be used for destructive means through manipulation of fire or transformation spells, but a more modern understanding reveals there is a limitless number of possible uses. Which spells are available to the aspiring magician depends on their personality and level of practice, though recent studies suggest that it might also be related to genetic heritage. We do not yet have any conclusive information related to this, however, and do not suggest the typical student pursue this track.

All forms of magic draw upon an energy within the body. Some call it mana, others call it force, but for this book's purposes we shall simply refer to it as Energy. Such Energy is regained through typical rest and eating. As with normal exercise, Energy can be improved through simple practice and diligence, though practising in particular styles of magic - such as healing - will make that style of magic easier to cast. This effect is enhanced for individual spells, though it is advised to avoid this method of practice. Unlike the physical body, however, Energy can only improve in quantity. Be warned, however; the more Energy an individual can harness, the more Energy the individual must cast, else the Energy might overwhelm their body. An overwhelmed individual, at best, shall become a magical beast; at worst, the individual will die, and their Energy shall be released at once in a large blast. It is vital to not only your wellbeing but that of your fellow students, that you take the following warning to heart.

Use only as much energy as you can sustain.