"Well, this is a pleasant surprise." Professor Morales said while staring at him. "Our first success within minutes of class starting! I didn't expect you to succeed until you asked for help, and we had a few classes together."She sounded absolutely delighted as the rest of the class stared at him with a mix of awe and envy. Even Emily, near the front, had her mouth hanging open as she looked at him as if he were a monster."Please, tell me, what classification is your new spell?""It's a ward-type spell," Cal replied as he felt his face heating up."You hear that class? Mr Shaw showed wisdom beyond what most fresh young mages do. It's important to have a way to defend yourself before focusing on other methods. Now, if you would, please show us your spell."Cal gulped as he removed his hands from the cube and looked around the class. Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it now. Whirlpool!Cal stood up and moved back as he stretched out his arm. His mana flowed through his body, cr
Callum sighed as he sat back and watched the others for a while. After several minutes, no one else had created a spell. 'What's going on? It's not that hard.'Cal frowned as he noticed the tense expressions of his classmates. He could tell they were concentrating, and nobody seemed to be slacking off. Even Professor Morales wore a look that said it was perfectly normal. 'Did I get lucky?'No matter how he thought about it, that shouldn't be the case. 'There's only one way to find out.' Callum shrugged his shoulders and placed his hands on the cube again.As the interface popped up, Cal already had a spell in mind. Now that he knew how spells were made and that they had a 'memory' of their own, there was something he wanted to make his mana refinement easier.Before long, a green glow lit up the class from its rear. Callum almost wondered if he had become deaf because of the silence. Unanimously, the whole class turned to stare at him again."Ahem," Professor Morales cleared her throa
[Name: Arcane Bullet Classification: Assault Stage: Circle Elements: Arcane Complexity: 2 Power: 4 Secondary Power: 0 Required Mana: 2 (Expand) (Expanded): Arcane: 2 Description: A low-power ranged arcane-type spell.]Callum barely paid any attention to the notification as he met the hungry gazes of his classmates. 'Well, this should be enough for now, right?' He licked his lips as he removed his hands from the cube and lay back in his chair.'It would be nice to have more spells, but I've already drawn too much attention. There must be a way to create spells away from all these prying eyes.'Cal was oblivious to his classmates' thoughts as he relaxed at the back of the class. His casual attitude made them feel like he was saying this course was too easy and they were insignificant in his eyes.Of course, Callum had no such thoughts. Well, apart from the easy part. Mages were notoriously competitive and always searching for ways to improve their standing among their peers.
"Hmph!" Amesbury grunted triumphantly. "You're not the only Major Arcana in this joint class anymore, Hans!""Oh, shit!" Emily moaned beside Cal. "That's Hans Müller! He inherited The Tower legacy from his family. Apparently, there was a tragic event, and his older sister, who should have inherited it, died. Watch yourself, Cal."Callum frowned as he glanced at Hans. The guy was around six foot and four inches tall. Which meant he towered over everyone from the two classes. He had a rugged square jaw, dark hair, and piercing blue eyes. "That's him. Over there!" Amesbury gleefully pointed Callum out. "That's Callum Shaw, The Magician! Are you scared now?""Shaw? The Magician?" Hans grunted as he scanned Callum before marching up to him. "Are you Felix Shaw's grandson?"Callum reeled in shock. "You knew my grandpa?""That's right." Hans nodded as a grin spread across his face. "Master Felix personally trained me in the basics when I awakened! If it weren't for his support, my family ma
Rain hammered against the windshield of Danielle's car in a grief-ridden melody as Callum stared at the grey skies from the passenger seat. His eyes searched his right hand from time to time, checking for the presence of the golden ring set with pitch-black onyx. Danielle coughed as she brushed her light brown hair behind her ear and looked at him with her deep green eyes."Are you going to be okay?"Her voice was low, barely louder than a whisper, but Callum heard her. A frown appeared on Callum's face as he tousled his black hair before taking a deep breath."Honestly, I don't know."Callum's icy blue eyes scanned Danielle's face, noticing the concern in her expression as the feeling of emptiness ravaged his heart. His grandfather's funeral had passed in a blur. It felt so unreal at the time, but the weight of the ring on his finger told him otherwise."Do you want me to come in? I can keep you company until Amy comes back."A long sigh escaped Callum's lips as he shook his head. He
Callum stared at his bloody knuckles and the gash on his forearm through the ripped sleeve of his suit jacket with dead eyes as he caressed the cold pint of beer between his hands. The other customers of O'Connors pub left him alone in the dark corner with only his grief and rage for company.The cracked screen of his phone on the table drew his attention as it vibrated. A glance was all he needed to confirm it was Dani calling him back before answering."I'm here. Where are you?"Callum's left brow rose slightly at Dani's tone before telling her he was seated in the rear right corner near the toilets."I'll be right there."Before he could place the phone back on the table, Dani's face appeared as she rushed between the tables. Her black dress for the funeral hugged her curves while still being suitable for the occasion."Gods, Cal, are you okay?"Her silvery voice rang in his ears as she placed the heavy bag she carried in an empty seat before taking his right hand in hers. Callum's
The shower was still on, but the water actively avoided him. It was as though a thick, invisible layer was wrapped around his body, keeping it at bay. It didn't matter how he tried to touch the steaming water since the strange barrier moved with him.Callum choked as his heart pounded, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. There was an electrifying sense of power in the air that reeked of danger. It was then that a dull green glow in the corner of his sight drew his attention as he struggled to calm the raging storm within. What the hell is that? Callum stared at his grandfather's ring sitting on the edge of the sink while painting the bathroom in the eerie green light. He could see lines on the dull gold of the same colour as the light while a pattern of circles and lines decorated the onyx.The power the ring exuded resonated with Callum. It was as if a siren was calling out to him, begging him to wear it.He couldn't help but wish he would wake up or that this was all
Callum gripped his now empty mug as he stared at the text boxes in mid-air. After playing around with it for a while, he realised it worked as an interface similar to a computer or videogame. Except the input came directly from his thoughts.It seemed to have been set to only unlock certain information in the Archives after he had read through the basics, which served as an introduction to being an Awakened. That's the term for people like me who have awoken their talent for magic. Callum sighed into the empty mug as deep frown lines appeared on his forehead.He glanced at the introductory text again, where it described the process of identifying which of the six magical elements he was naturally attuned to. It refused to go beyond that point, and he assumed the enchanted ring on his finger was waiting for him to perform the task. This is stupid, but I've already come this far, so why not?A few moments after searching the house, Callum sat down again. This time, he placed a glass of