with reality! We live in fear and hardship here, and you’re dreaming!
The conversation attracted the attention of the other residents, and soon a small crowd gathered around. Edward felt the tension building. He knew that the magic he was learning frightened many people, and it could cause conflict.
– I’m just trying to learn magic to help our village,» he said, trying to be reasoned. – Magic can give us new opportunities, protect us from threats, and improve our lives.
– There is no magic that can change our destiny! – shouted one of the fiercest opponents, a tall elf with a sullen face and shrewd eyes. – You are only playing with forces you do not understand! You are putting us in danger!
As if on cue, the crowd supported his shouts, and discontent erupted. Edward could feel his emotions running high, and it hurt him terribly to see his loved ones turn their backs on him.
– I know that not everyone can understand my purpose,» he said loudly enough to block out the noise of the crowd. – But teaching magic is my way of making the world around us a better place. I’m not going to impose my ideas, but don’t let fear control you! We can band together and create something great together!
But instead of calming the situation, his words only fueled the anger of the crowd. The elves began shouting accusations and threats, some even whispering incantations as if they could drive him away from the village.
Edward felt his own fears begin to manifest. He realized he wasn’t acting the way he wanted to. He didn’t want conflict, but he wasn’t going to give up his ambition either.
At that moment, a village elder emerged from the crowd. Despite his years, his voice sounded loud and confident.
– Enough! – He said, drawing everyone’s attention to himself. – Edward, you have chosen your path, and it is your destiny. But remember that magic is a powerful tool that carries both good and evil. This road requires responsibility.
The Elder looked at the crowd, causing silence with his presence.
– Let us not divide our village into supporters and opponents,» he continued. – Everyone has the right to make their own way. Edward may be the one to help us, but you must also remember your rightness and respect for each other.
The Elder had eased the heat, but the tension was still in the air. Edward took a deep breath and realized that this conflict may have just begun to bring to the surface what was hidden in people’s hearts.
– Thank you, Elder,» he said, trying to remain calm. – I will continue my journey and hope that in the future I can prove to everyone that magic can only do good.
The crowd slowly began to disperse, but there was still animosity in the eyes of some.
Chapter 7:
At night, back at his cabin, Edward couldn’t shake off the intrusive thoughts of the conflict with his fellow villagers. All sorts of images and emotions were intertwined in his mind, and he wondered how far he had come since he had discovered magic. To calm his mind, he decided to think back to his childhood.
Edward closed his eyes and sank into his memories. He was a young boy living in a village full of joy and simple pleasures. The sun shone brightly in the sky, and shone on his face as he played with other children in the flood meadows surrounding their home place. Images of delicate flowers, fragrant herbs, summer-smelling meadows, and good friends with whom he shared all his dreams came to mind.
A few highlights from that time left a deep mark on his heart. He remembered once catching butterflies with his friends, laughing viciously when one of them accidentally landed on his nose. They laughed amicably and shared funny stories, knowing nothing but happiness.
– We will be best friends forever! – With those words, they shook hands in childish naivete, promising that nothing could ever keep them apart.
Edward remembered his very first encounter with magic. It had been when he had accidentally stumbled upon a small lake in the woods, full of sparkling fireflies. He was struck by their beauty and, feeling the wind blowing, expressed his desire to catch one. To his surprise, as if understanding him, the firefly flew to his hand and stayed there for a moment before disappearing again into the night. In that instant, he realized that there was something more than a simple life, and that was the beginning of his love for magic.
This love of magic was noticed by his mother, a kind soul who always told him stories of great mages and their wisdom. She talked about how magic connects people, how it helps find dreams and hopes. Those stories left an impression on Edward that stayed with him for the rest of his life.
But soon his memories began to include more than just happy moments. Edward also remembered the worries that had begun to flood his childhood years. There were rumors of dark entities in the village, and his friends began to show fear. Some of them simply walked away, leaving a place that had once seemed safe for them.
Edward maintained his curiosity despite these worries. He continued to explore the forests around him, but increasingly felt that his dream of magic was becoming something unattainable in the eyes of those around him. He felt himself slowly losing intimacy with his friends due to growing fear and misunderstandings.
Returning to reality, Edward opened his eyes. Feelings arose within him that helped him understand why he so desired to become a mage. Magic was not just a power to him, but a way to connect with those he loved and those he had lost. He couldn’t let fear control his life and the lives of his fellow villagers.
Understanding his own past helped him gain clarity. Edward knew his path would not be easy, but it was his calling. He had to fight prejudice and fears to someday bring his village back to understanding and accepting magic.
Inspired, he felt a surge of strength again. Edward picked up his journal and began jotting down thoughts of the future. He dreamed of creating a space where magic would be a part of their lives, not something to be bewildered or feared. He described his hopes in his journal – to bring people together, to break down barriers, and to show that magic could be a source of light and inspiration.
This night was unusually inspiring. Edward decided that he would be wise to share his thoughts with Loren at the next class. Perhaps his ideas about unity and the use of magic would help him to create a dialog with his fellow villagers, and then they would see magic in a new light.
Chapter 8:
The next morning, Edward looked forward to his class with Loren. There was a combination of excitement and anxiety in his heart, for he felt that the learning process itself was becoming more and more serious and in-depth. Today they were to explore dark spells, an area Edward had heard many troubling stories and warnings about, but also one of stopping magical potential.
When he arrived at Loren’s cabin, he was already waiting for him. The room was in semi-darkness, and old, worn books lay on the table. Loren, dressed in a long, dark cloak, looked at Edward with a faint smile.
– Good morning, Edward. Today we will be exploring dark spells. They can be dangerous, but in the hands of a wise mage, they can be useful for protection and salvation.
Edward nodded, feeling a mixture of interest and fear growing inside him. Loren opened one of the books, and his voice drowned out the rustle of the pages.
– Dark spells are often thought of as evil and dangerous, but they are really just a tool. Like any tool, they depend on the intentions of the person using them. A mage can use them for good or for harm.
Loren began to explain how the spell he was going to teach Edward worked. It allowed him to temporarily bind the enemy’s forces, creating isolation and allowing him to escape danger. Edward listened carefully, realizing that this spell could be useful for both defense and attack. But with each new word, he became more and more aware of the risks he was taking in learning such things.
– «Remember,»