Chapter 13 ~ Breath, Lucas Breath

• It was another day in the realm of the spirit. The courtyard was alive with movement, young wizards bending light and wind, twisting small flames between their fingers, and weaving spells with careful gestures. It was a place of focus and potential, where every breath could shift the unseen currents of magic. Lucas stood apart, his chest tight with nerves. His hands trembled slightly as he looked around. His palms felt dry, and his heart beat so fast it felt like it might burst from his chest. The others seemed so confident, their spells flowing naturally, like breathing. Kael, standing beside him, was calm, unshaken by the energy around them. His dark eyes sparkled with a mixture of patience and understanding. He noticed Lucas’s unease and placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.
• “Relax,” Kael said softly, voice low but clear. “There’s no race here. Magic isn’t about speed or strength. It’s about control. The kind of control that comes when your mind is calm.” Lucas shook his head, biting his lip. “Easy for you to say,” he mumbled, glancing at the others. “They all look like they’ve been doing this their whole lives.” Kael smiled, but it wasn’t one of amusement. It was warm, almost like a gentle hand reaching out. “I was nervous too. I’ve been where you are standing on the edge, wondering if you’ll fall or fly.” Lucas’s eyes searched Kael’s face, surprised by the honesty. “Really?” Kael nodded. “Really. I’m not some magic prodigy who never doubted himself. We all start somewhere, and every master was once a beginner.” Lucas drew a shaky breath, trying to calm his racing heart. “Okay… so how do I start?” “By stopping the fight inside your head,” Kael said. “Let your mind settle. Magic doesn’t respond well to panic.” Lucas closed his eyes, inhaling slowly through his nose, then exhaling with a long, slow breath. The world around him dimmed a little, the sounds softened, the chaos of the courtyard faded.
• “Good,” Kael said. “Now, think about the power inside you. Feel it like a current flowing just beneath your skin. Don’t try to force it just sense it.” Lucas’s eyes fluttered open, and he hesitated. “I don’t feel anything.” “Don’t worry. It’s there,” Kael said gently. “Focus on your right hand. Imagine a tiny spark waiting to be called.” Lucas looked down at his palm. For a moment, there was nothing. Then, a faint warmth, like the soft heat of sunlight, crept along his skin. “There,” Kael said, voice calm and steady. “That’s the beginning.” Lucas clenched his fingers, and to his surprise, a tiny flicker of blue light appeared, hovering just above his palm. It danced like a fragile flame in the wind. “You did that,” Kael said, nodding with approval. “Now hold it steady. Don’t let your thoughts run wild.” The flicker wavered but didn’t go out. Lucas felt a small thrill. His heart still raced, but now with excitement instead of fear.