Basil and the Slumbering Emerald

Embracing Basil

The return to school after the Thanksgiving holiday leaves Basil with an odd feeling like none of this really matters. Despite knowing how important his education is to his future if he wants to go to college for anything not related, he needs to perform well. That's the exact problem, does any of this really matter when he knows there is something more waiting for him? A destiny he doesn't want anything to do with yet is working its way into his mind and changing the way he thinks. Now that the initial knee jerk pain and fear is over he is growing to realize he might not have a choice.

Life for Basil has always had a way of dictating his life for him, rather than making the decisions himself. Now that he is taking that responsibility into his own hands... couldn't he just chose to fulfill his destiny? Life isn't fair but it doesn't mean he has to let it make him suffer. Basil stares out the window ignoring his math class entirely, the whole day feeling bleak, and missing light. His mind is torn between possibilities. That's when it kicks in that he can always forge his own path, his own destiny where he can be both happy and still do what is needed of him. Why can't he have it all.

After school Basil drive Trisha and Becky home then takes Gram home, letting him go with a kiss. Before heading home. Once home he calls both Kelkian and Mattias to come over as well as getting Petril's attention. Once they are all standing with him in the room Basil fidgets under their curious gaze. "I want you to teach me magic... I've been thinking about it and its my magic, my body, and I want to know the full extent of what I can do. Please don't go easy on me either. No more blowing candles to start fires. I want to learn magic. Real magic, not just something that you can do with a lighter." Basil says with conviction that surprises the three men. All of them look at one another before Petril shrugs.

"If that is what you really want. What kind of magic do you want to learn, I know a lot about Celestial magics and I can help you learn to wield them." Petril smiles reassuringly to Basil who seems to visibly relax.

"I want to learn everything. I mean it. Teach me everything you guys know. I want to learn anything that might help me. I don't want to be a pawn on the chessboard anymore. I'm choosing to be a queen piece and I want to dominate not just submit." Basil bites his lip and Kelkian grins.

"There's my Basil. Of course I'll teach you what I can, but does this mean you are going to Boarwick's next year?" Kelkian asks curiously and Basil nods.

"I am, but I'm going to an unshackled college after. I'm not going to make a living being some chosen one for the unbound community. I want to be more than just an unbound or a shackled. I want to be everything I possibly can be. Not to be special, but just to be true to myself." Basil explains and Mattias smiles warmly.

"I'll help you learn what I know from my college. It's going to be hard though.' Mattias crosses his arms seeming worried. Basil laughs in a way that makes the three of them share worried glances.

"Hard? Because all of this has been easy? Like anything in my life has been a breeze? I've always worked hard even when I had things handed to me on a silver platter. I can handle whatever you guys can throw at me. I'm not superman but I'll be damned if I can't do this." Basil's eyes glimmer with a determination, a self-assuredness that was gone for what felt like a long time. The three nod and they move to the table to discuss teaching Basil. They spend the night making plans and deciding who will teach what. They decide that Kelkian will teach him the basics of bigger casting, things like pooling magic, absorbing magic from the environment, and basic use spells that simplify life. Mattias is going to teach Basil control and elemental magic essentials. Petril is going to teach Basil Celestial magics and basic battle magic.

The next day after school lets out Basil kisses Gram goodbye and heads home to Kelkian. Immediately Kelkian has several books floating around the room. "Levitation is the bread and butter of an unbound's simple spells. I want you to work on levitation to start. It requires concentration and skill to levitate more than one thing at a time, you need to learn to sense the magic around you and pull it into yourself at the same time. You can't use all of your own reserve to cast spells, especially if you intend to duel with magic. Battle magic requires absolute mastery Basil, I know you can achieve it but you aren't even close right now. Come. So start like you would with the candle, draw upon your magic reserves, channel it and them release it into the world. You want to envision in your mind what you want to happen but you must also be paying attention to the present so you can control the levitation. Make sense? Watch." Kelkian puts the books down and slowly shows Basil levitation of a single book with a snap of his fingers.

"Why do you snap your fingers like that? Why doesn't Petril or Mattias snap to cast magic?" Basil enquires and Kelkian laughs.

"The easies way to release magic is through physical interaction. Snapping is a simple act that symbolizes command. Most people use simple incantations and wordy spells. Mattias flicks his wrist in the same way I snap my fingers. Only a true master can cast actionless magic and just will magic without physical interaction." Kelkian explains and Basil nods. "Also there are no flames here Basil, don't be afraid to summon the necessary magic this time. Basil nods and goes through the steps logically and formally in his mind before making his first attempt.

Twelve attempts later Basil has managed to not only make the books levitate but half the furniture in the living room. Kelkian stares in awe as he slowly lowers everything back to the floor just as Joe is coming in from work. "Working on magic?" Joe asks surprised and Basil nods. "Lets see it then. Show me what you can do." Basil smirks at Kelkian and summons the magic from around him again, lifts his hands and snaps. The entire living room begins to float and dance in the air. Joe looks startled just as Petril walks into the room. "Good god... Basil that's great!"

"Whoa..." Petril agrees in amazement looking around at the furniture. "Can you put the living room down Basil?" Petril asks and Basil lowers everything slowly. Joe picks up one of the books and tosses it right at Basil's face and without even snapping the book stops short of his face fluttering briefly before going flying back at Joe. Kelkian goes wide eyed.

"Basil! That was excellent. You are an absolute natural at this! It's definitely in your bones."Kelkian awes and Basil blushes shaking his head.

"It is mostly defying basic physics. I'm sure there is much more challenging than simple levitation." Basil shrugs and Petril pulls Joe close.

"That may be true Basil, but it is a large leap past where we expected you to be at. You should go make a sandwich and rest. You don't want to push your magic." Basil nods and goes to get a sandwich. Joe, Kelkian, and Petril huddle together.

"He shouldn't have been able to stop that book Petril. He isn't anywhere near shear will magic. Then again Basil is special, isn't he? Its like he has known magic this whole time all the sudden. It is kind of concerning." Joe mentions and Petril nods. Kelkian looks taken aback.

" It is a little surprising but it doesn't worry me. He is exceptionally smart and talented. You know the best unbound are smart and talented like he is." Kelkian argues and Petril nods.

"You both have a point. I think its best that while we train him, we keep a keen eye on him. He might be ready for Boarwicks sooner than I expected.