As I walked back home, my mind was buzzing with questions and thoughts that intertwined like threads of a complex tapestry. Margareth's words still echoed in my ears — the history of arcane arts, the ancestral deities who taught humans, and especially the term "Archmage" with its weight of dishonor that she carried. All this mingled with the soft sound of my footsteps on the stone path.
From the entrance of Margareth's mansion to the horse that awaited us outside the ornate gates, my father, who walked silently beside me, didn't ask me a single question. Perhaps having noticed my restlessness, he simply carried me in his arms, respecting my silence, without saying a word.
Our residences were considerably distant, perhaps something between four and five kilometers. I can't say for sure, but I'm certain that, from Margareth's imposing house, it was impossible to see our modest baronet's mansion.
During the horse ride, the evening breeze gently caressed my face. The trees swayed in a slow dance from side to side, and the birds sang a harmonious melody that filled the air. "Perhaps it's mating season?" I thought, trying to distract my mind from the day's revelations.
A few minutes passed until finally, on the horizon, I could see our house. It didn't have the glamour or grandeur of my master's mansion, but it emanated an aura of warmth that brought me immediate peace. As we approached, I distinguished my mother's silhouette, patiently waiting for us at the door. In her lap, she cradled my younger sister. "Is Vivian not cold in this evening wind?" I wondered with genuine concern.
As soon as we arrived, my mother greeted us with one of those smiles that seem to light up the world around — sweet and loving as only she knew how to offer.
— Elian, are you okay? How was your day? — she asked, with that melodious voice that always calmed me.
I nodded with a smile and began to narrate the day's events, omitting the more disturbing parts about the dangers of arcane arts and Margareth's dishonorable title.
When I finished my simplified account, my mother, who had been tenderly cradling Vivian, announced that she was going to give my sister a bath. Only my father and I remained, as on the way back.
As we entered our house, he, who until then had respected my contemplative silence, repeated the same question as my mother:
— How was your day, Elian? — he inquired, trying to sound casual, but unable to completely hide a touch of concern that shone in his attentive eyes.
I decided to be direct, because something in me needed to share what I had discovered:
— Father, Master Margareth mentioned something about Archmages... And about a kind of title she carries, which doesn't seem to be respectful or honorable... — I hesitated briefly, unsure how much I could reveal, but continued. — She didn't fully explain what happened, but hinted that some grave error in her past caused her to bear this title that seems to be one of dishonor.
My father remained silent for a moment, his eyes revealing deep thoughts, and then sighed slowly, as if he was already familiar with what I was trying to understand.
— There are things, Elian, that time cannot easily erase. What Margareth did in the past is something that has been etched in the memory of many. When someone's name intertwines with greater tragedies, it becomes almost impossible to remove the shadow it casts over the person. — He paused, carefully choosing his next words. — But know this, my son: true honor comes not only from what is said about us, but from what we choose to do with the present given to us. The life of any person, including Margareth's, is not defined only by past mistakes, but by the choices we make with each new dawn.
I remained silent, absorbing the wisdom contained in his words. Amidst the whirlwind of questions that assailed me, that answer, though enigmatic, brought a certain comfort. I understood that, like Margareth, I too would have to make my own choices and decide what my past — whatever it was — would mean for the future I still had to build.
— How was the lesson itself? — my father asked, skillfully changing the subject.
I took a deep breath and smiled, my mind still full of thoughts, but not wanting to worry him more than necessary.
— It's starting to make sense, father. I believe I'm beginning to understand what this arcane energy that permeates everything is... And starting tomorrow, I will begin meditation classes to better understand how to perceive and channel this energy.
He returned my smile with a serene one, showing no doubt about my ability or determination.
— I know you will learn well, Elian. You have always shown inner strength. Just don't forget that power, however great, is never everything. Knowing when and how to use it is what truly matters.
As I walked deeper into our house, the welcoming silence enveloped me like a familiar cloak. The environment, simple and comfortable, now seemed more comforting than ever after the day of revelations. As I headed to my room, my eyes were drawn to the window, where the evening sky was tinged with an intense gold, as if the light of a promising future was just beginning to dawn on the horizon.
The path ahead of me was still nebulous, full of uncertainties, but from that moment on, the power I sought would not just be something to be mastered. It would be something to be understood with respect, patience, and, who knows, with the wisdom that Margareth was not yet ready to share with me.
Whatever my destiny, I was determined to move forward.
★★★★★
The next day, upon arriving at Margareth's mansion, she handed me an ancient book with detailed illustrations of various postures and positions I should practice to improve my form and concentration — essential elements for properly sensing arcane energy.
— Elian, there are multiple forms of meditation. You can practice it sitting, lying down, or even standing, depending on what you seek to achieve — she explained in a didactic voice.
I looked at her with a slightly skeptical expression, as I already possessed this basic knowledge from my previous life. Noticing my reaction, she continued with more substantive information:
— Meditation is the fundamental first step for you to begin to perceive arcane energy, which permeates everything around us invisibly but omnipresently. And that is precisely where the true danger lies.
She observed me carefully for a few seconds, as if assessing my understanding of what she had just said. Satisfied with my attention, she continued:
— Do you remember what I told you about not practicing this at home, under any circumstances? — I nodded silently. — When you meditate without fully understanding how arcane energy flows and behaves, it's practically inevitable: you can — and certainly will — lose control at some point.
— What exactly happens when you lose control? — I asked, feeling an involuntary shiver run down my spine.
— I'll get to that point shortly. — She removed the glove she always wore with a deliberately slow movement, revealing the rune etched on her left hand: a triangle superimposed on another, permanently marked on her skin. — Meditation primarily serves to nourish this rune that you also carry, although yours has a different shape.
She pointed to the six-pointed star on my own hand.
— Your rune is directly nourished by the arcane energy you can absorb and channel. Your arcane strength increases proportionally to your ability to absorb and process this energy. But here's the fundamental risk: if you don't know how to precisely control the amount you absorb, this energy will overflow into your physical body. And when that happens, if there isn't someone with enough knowledge to immediately stop this uncontrolled flow... you die.
She paused significantly, and then completed in a grave voice:
— Or, to be more precise... you explode. Literally.
Upon hearing those words, I felt genuine fear begin to spread through my body like liquid ice. It was at that moment that I truly understood how dangerous it would be to try to practice alone. Without much thought, I asked the first thing that came to mind:
— And my parents? Would they not be able to stop the absorption process, if something went wrong?
Margareth shook her head firmly.
— No, Elian. Although your parents have knowledge of the arcane arts, they are only one level above your current one. This is far from what is needed to contain a serious absorption failure like the one I described.
By the way, these are the levels of arcane power, as Margareth explained to me in detail:
Ⅰ — Bruma
The dormant soul.
The first step on the path of arcane awakening. Some already feel the call of energy, but have no control or clarity over it.
Rune: Two wavy lines.
Ⅱ — Spark (My current level)
The initial awakening.
The Spark announces latent potential, but still lacks direction and control. It imperatively needs a master for guidance and direction in the proper use of energy.
Rune: Six-pointed star.
Ⅲ — Flame (My parents' level)
The soul actively feeds the Spark.
At this stage, the arcanist begins to consciously control their power, and the first basic spells, seals, and enchantments emerge.
Rune: A flame.
Ⅳ — Roar
Complete control of energy and environmental absorption.
Power manifests undeniably, becoming perceptible even without direct demonstration, like a constant presence.
Rune: π (Pi).
Ⅴ — Storm
Conjuration and invocation that transcend physical limits.
At this level, the arcanist can unleash large-scale destruction — enough to raze entire small cities.
Rune: A lightning bolt.
Ⅵ — Ascension
The soul completely transcends the limitations of the flesh.
Power molds the surrounding reality according to the arcanist's will, who can reduce metropolises to rubble. This is considered the maximum limit a human being can reach.
Rune: Triangle within another triangle.
Ⅶ — Apex
Power becomes indistinguishable from the being's own identity.
Will and miracle merge into a single concept. The being definitively surpasses the limits of humanity and is revered as an incarnate divinity.
Rune: Five-pointed star.
Ⅷ — Etherion
Living and autonomous concept.
They are the very fundamental pillars of existence. They do not walk among mortals, but their presence is felt in all things. Everything that exists rests under their transcendental reality.
Rune: Infinity symbol (∞).
— What is the minimum level required to be able to help someone control an uncontrolled energy absorption? — I asked, driven by curiosity and anxiety.
Margareth, without showing haste, replied with the serenity of someone who had already anticipated that question:
— Storm. — Her eyes fixed firmly on mine as she pronounced the name. — For every thousand Arcanists who reach some level of power, only ten manage to reach that level.
The number surprised me deeply. My analytical mind immediately calculated the proportion. If those who reached the Storm level were already so rare, then Ascension must be almost mythical in its rarity.
— And for Ascension...? — I inquired, my voice almost a reverent whisper.
She sketched a subtle smile, with a touch of veiled pride, as if she already knew the weight of the answer even before verbalizing it.
— For every hundred thousand... only one. — she declared with a simplicity that contrasted with the magnitude of the information.
"One in a hundred thousand." The phrase reverberated in my consciousness like distant thunder. It was a much smaller proportion than I had imagined, even in my most conservative estimates.
My thoughts were still processing this revelation when I decided to ask another crucial question:
— Master... approximately how many Arcanists awaken per year?
Margareth brought her hand to her chin in a thoughtful gesture, reflecting briefly before answering:
— Between one hundred and one hundred and fifty, on average.
My face must have expressed the astonishment I felt, as she reacted to my expression.
— That... in the entire kingdom? — I questioned, finding the number surprisingly low.
She let out an amused smile, gently shaking her head.
— No, Elian. For every ten thousand people who awaken at the Bruma level, at most one hundred and fifty manage to advance to Spark. And even among these few fortunate ones, not all have the privilege of finding a qualified master to guide them properly. Many remain stagnant at that level... or perish trying to advance without guidance.
With each answer I received, my understanding of the world around me changed significantly. Then, a last doubt arose in my mind:
— How many inhabitants does the Kingdom of Malkuth currently have? — I asked, seeking to contextualize the numbers she provided.
Margareth inhaled deeply. Her gaze seemed to momentarily get lost in distant memories, and her expression, previously serene, acquired a shadow of sadness.
— Five years before your birth, we were approximately five million souls...
She paused meaningfully. I realized that something painful weighed on that specific recollection.
— Then came the war against the neighboring kingdom. We lost many lives... mainly innocent ones, who should never have been involved in that conflict. — Her voice sounded lower, as if each word carried the weight of the deaths she mentioned.
A respectful silence hung between us for a few seconds.
— We've discussed enough theory for today. Time to start practicing. — she declared, resuming her posture as a firm and demanding master.
After that revealing conversation, I began my practical exercises. Margareth instructed me to sit on a thick, soft fabric spread on the polished wooden floor. The environment was devoid of unnecessary ornaments, but the soft aroma of herbs and incense she kept constantly burning created an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and concentration.
— Remember: don't force your breathing, just observe and follow its natural flow — she instructed, her voice simultaneously patient and firm.
I closed my eyes and allowed the air to fill my lungs at a rhythmic pace, while trying to calm the storm of thoughts that still echoed in my mind about everything I had just learned. The idea that my own body might not withstand the arcane energy and literally explode caused me unease, but I knew I needed to transcend that fear to progress.
Gradually, I began to perceive a subtle and unusual sensation... as if something intangible touched my skin from within, an almost imperceptible vibration that seemed to emanate from everything around me. It was a faint presence, but undeniably real — as if the world itself was trying to communicate with me, and I, still inexperienced, could barely interpret its language.
— Focus on that sensation — Margareth instructed, sitting silently next to me. — Don't try to capture it or control it yet. Just observe and feel its presence.
Time passed, and my mind, previously agitated, began to clear. The surrounding environment seemed to gradually dissolve. External sounds faded — the crackling of wood in the fireplace, the whistling of the wind through the windows — until only that subtle vibration remained, dancing around and through me.
Suddenly, this sensation began to intensify. My body experienced a strange transformation, as if it were expanding internally. A wave of heat ascended from the center of my chest to my shoulders, and I felt my hands tingle intensely, especially the left one, where the rune was etched.
— Stop. Immediately! — Margareth's authoritative voice abruptly brought me back to reality.
I opened my eyes, breathing heavily, and noticed that the rune on my left hand emitted a soft but visible amber glow. A throbbing pain pulsed in my temples, although it was tolerable.
— You absorbed more energy than you should have — she observed, carefully examining the rune on my skin. — This is perfectly normal in the initial stages of training. Luckily, you stopped the process in time.
I lay down on the floor, exhausted as if I had been running for hours, while feeling drops of sweat run down my forehead. Margareth approached and placed her hand on my shoulder with an almost maternal gesture, her tone of voice softening considerably:
— Today you made remarkable progress, Elian. Don't be so hard on yourself. This path requires time and patience. And time, fortunately, is something we have in abundance.
I closed my eyes again, feeling the relief of having successfully overcome my first real contact with the danger of the arcane arts. Deep down, I knew that this was just the first of many challenges that awaited me on the journey that had just begun.