Today marked the beginning of Kaelem's training, and he was brimming with excitement. Selkor was determined to guide him through what would be the most difficult training he had ever experienced.

"Let's start with some fundamental exercises," Selkor said, his voice taking on the authority of a teacher. "We need to find a way for you to connect with your magic, to shape it and give it instructions as per your will." He motioned for Kaelem to sit cross-legged on the wooden floor; they had returned to the inn where Selkor was staying.

Kaelem followed his mentor's instructions but felt a mix of excitement and dread as he settled into position. He was reminded of the cave where he had hopelessly tried to draw in magic from the atmosphere. He had followed Selkor's instructions but failed to feel himself absorbing the magic. Perhaps he should have been happy with the result, but it still felt like something was missing.

"Doubt will be your enemy," Selkor advised, sensing his charge's hesitance. "Embrace your emotions, but don't let them define you. Focus on what you want to achieve." He guided Kaelem through a series of breathing exercises designed to help him calm his mind and draw in the ambient magic around him.

As Kaelem progressed, Selkor began to demonstrate simple techniques to channel the stored energy. "Picture a river," he instructed, "flowing steadily. Your magic should take on that form - guided and controlled. Picture it in your mind's eye, moving through you but not overwhelming you."

Kaelem nodded, his eyes closed as he pictured the river flowing steadily. He felt the familiar tingling sensation in his hands, but as he attempted to contort the river into a coherent shape, the energy began to destabilize and became uncontrollable.

"It's not working. Every time I try to change its form, I lose control of it," Kaelem burst out in frustration.

Selkor approached him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It takes time. You are learning to walk before you've learned to crawl," he said, trying to instill some confidence in his apprentice. "Every mage struggles at first, especially with shaping magic. It takes time and vigilance."

After hours of practice with little success, Selkor proposed a change of scenery. "Let's take a break. There's a derelict dungeon on the outskirts of town. It may provide a more practical setting for your training."

More than happy for a change of scenery and a break, Kaelem nodded in agreement. They set off to the outskirts of town, passing through the main gate. It wasn't long before Selkor led them off the beaten path and into the brambles again, but before too long they emerged from the underbrush and approached a crumbling structure that resembled a gnarled hand.

"It appears this dreary old place is now occupied by goblin folk," Selkor advised as he examined the entrance to the dungeon. "They could serve as a distraction to help you focus. Learning to harness your emotions in the heat of battle is crucial, after all."

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Kaelem let out an audible gulp. Goblins were typically at the bottom of the monster food chain, but the thought of facing an actual monster filled him with anxiety. They entered through a rusted gate, the smell of must and decay washing over them. Light became scarce as it filtered in through the cracks in the walls.

They explored the dungeon for a while, delving deeper into its depths as they began to head underground. They hadn't encountered anything yet, but Selkor could feel the prying eyes watching them, waiting for the prey to enter their trap.

"It's almost time. Are you ready?" Selkor asked under his breath, his hand resting on the handle of a wand strapped to his belt.

With a deep breath, Kaelem nodded, remembering the river as he attempted to channel the energy building within him. The echo of grunts and chants began to fill the cavern they were in, torch lights emerging from the other side of the tunnel.

The pattering of tiny feet grew louder. Selkor took a step back as Kaelem stepped forward. He opened his eyes to see three small goblins approaching, practically foaming at the mouth as they scraped their primitive weapons against the floor and walls. Kaelem lifted his hands, trying to channel his magic. Feeling it thrum in his palms, he let out a grunt as he tried to project his magic from his body.

One of the goblins lunged toward him, and a flash of energy burst from Kaelem's palms, creating a blinding light that ricocheted off the dungeon walls. Instead of the controlled blast toward the approaching goblin as he had intended, the energy bounced around the corridor, chaotic and aimless.

It was enough to startle the goblin, who failed to find his mark, but Kaelem could feel Selkor watching him. They both knew he had failed to produce the intended effect. The goblins screeched as the ricocheting bolt continued to swell, rapidly increasing in size and forming tendrils that began to lash out in every direction.

"Kaelem, focus!" Selkor called out from behind, but the surge of power overwhelmed Kaelem's senses.

He tried to condense the bolt of magic, to guide it toward the goblins. But as the ball of energy reached its threshold, it exploded outward in a blanket of blinding light, enveloping them all in a dizzying ray. The goblins began to panic, clawing at their eyes, which had adapted to the low light of the dungeon.

Kaelem tried again now that the goblins were stunned, drawing in the magic from his body and focusing it in his hands. He tried to think back to the scroll - the runes that appeared were instructions for the spell to create a bolt of lightning. But how could he emulate that?

Trying to picture the lightning bolt, he released the magic from his hands again. This time, an uncontrollable stream of magic pushed forward, but the force of the recoil quickly caused Kaelem's arms to swing around. The beam of magic scraped along the floor and walls, kicking up dirt. It eventually landed on the goblins, but more by luck than intent.

Kaelem stumbled back as the light dissipated, leaving him breathless in the aftermath. He had done it - sort of.

"You did it, but at what cost?" Selkor asked, his voice steady. Though Kaelem could hear the concern in his tone. "You managed to unleash your magic, but without clear intent and control, its form is weak and, as you've witnessed, volatile."

Kaelem's heart raced with adrenaline. He had survived the chaos and managed to repel his first goblin encounter. "I know... I lost control."

Selkor stepped closer, again reassuring Kaelem as he said, "Then we'll keep working on it until you can control it."

With that, they left the dungeon behind. Kaelem now knew what he needed to do to produce magic. But he also understood the importance of taming it to his will. He had learned a valuable lesson and knew that he wasn't finished with the goblin den.