I climbed to the upper floor.
This was Lucian's private training chamber.
A spacious room with high ceilings and stone walls.
Intricate magical symbols were etched into the stone.
Shelves were lined with old leather-bound books, crystals, and sets of glass tubes.
At the center of the room, a large magic circle glowed with soft blue energy.
Its flickering lines sent gentle sparks into the air.
Everything felt… a little intimidating.
But there was no turning back.
Lucian entered right behind me.
His footsteps echoed against the stone.
His white robes rippled gently as he walked.
Platinum-blond hair cascaded over his shoulders, catching the morning light like strands of gold.
And those deep navy eyes—sharp and unblinking—locked onto mine.
"Let's begin."
His voice was calm, commanding, and left no room for questions.
Lucian walked over slowly, hands clasped behind his back, eyes steady on me.
"Magic is the balance between mana, nature, and the body.
If you force it, you'll be consumed.
If you're weak, you'll shatter."
I swallowed.
A shiver ran down my spine.
"Today, we'll start with your first connection to mana."
He raised his hand.
A ripple of energy pulsed at the edge of the circle.
"Step into the center."
I took a deep breath and moved forward.
The energy tingled beneath my feet, spreading across my skin.
It left a faint buzzing sensation.
"Close your eyes."
I obeyed.
"Now… try to feel the mana flowing around you."
At first, I felt nothing.
Only the silence of the room and my own heartbeat.
But after a few breaths…
I started to sense something.
Tiny streams of energy in the air, brushing gently against my skin like invisible threads.
"Don't force it," Lucian said.
His voice was suddenly close to my ear.
"Let it come to you."
His presence made me tense.
My breathing grew quicker.
Lucian's fingertips lightly touched my shoulder.
"Go deeper."
The mana began to seep into me.
Warmth filled my chest, followed by a strange pressure.
My head started to spin.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered.
"Mana senses fear."
My body trembled.
Suddenly, I lost control.
The mana surged, its waves crashing against the walls.
"Focus."
Lucian pressed his hand to my back.
A precise stream of energy flowed down my spine through his fingertips.
The vibrations calmed.
My breath leveled out.
"The first mistake is normal," he said in a low voice.
"That's why I'm here."
His words… were oddly comforting.
Lucian hadn't left me alone.
Despite his cold exterior, his presence gave me a strange sense of safety.
We continued for several minutes.
⸻
Eventually, Lucian spoke again:
"Open your eyes."
I opened them slowly.
The blue light of the circle was now pulsing steadily.
I felt lightheaded, but I was still standing.
Lucian stepped back slightly and studied me.
"The first connection is complete."
Hearing that brought a wave of relief.
But his expression remained serious.
"This is only the beginning."
He raised his hand.
A small sphere of energy formed in the air, glowing with particles of light dancing within.
"Tomorrow… you'll perform your first summon."
My eyebrows lifted.
"Summon?"
Lucian's eyes deepened.
His voice became cold and firm:
"We'll attempt the familiar ritual.
If you fail… your training ends here."
My heart pounded.
This was it.
A real trial.
Lucian stepped closer.
The space between us narrowed.
His voice dropped to a near whisper:
"But if you succeed… you won't just be a student anymore.
You'll be a mage."
A strange mix of fear and excitement swelled within me.
Just as I began to step back, Lucian reached out and gently lifted my chin with his fingers.
His eyes held mine firmly.
"You're not afraid… are you?"
I held my breath.
And whispered:
"No."
Lucian's lips curved slightly in a faint smile.
"Good."
⸻
Even after the lesson ended, Lucian didn't leave.
He stayed in the room.
Almost like… he didn't want the session to end in silence.
He returned to his desk, opening one of his ancient books.
I sat quietly in a corner, catching my breath.
The silence between us held a strange peace.
But deep down, I knew:
The real challenge begins tomorrow.