Just as the introductions wrapped up, heavy footsteps approached from the side of the training grounds. Leon and the other Evokers turned to see a formidable figure making his way toward them—a tall, bald man with a muscled frame that made him look more like a warrior than a tutor. His scarlet and gold-trimmed uniform set him apart as one of the Academy’s instructors, an unmistakable figure among Evokers.
The man stopped in front of them, crossing his arms over his chest as he surveyed the group with a look that was both stern and assessing. His gaze held a weight that made even the most confident students shift in place, and after a moment, he gave a nod, his expression commanding their full attention.
“I am Evoker Malchus,” he announced, his voice a low, steady rumble that seemed to carry authority naturally. “I’ll be instructing you in magical combat. My specialty is preparing Evokers for battle and ensuring that each of you can wield your power effectively when it counts most.”
Malchus let the silence settle over the group as he prepared them for the next step, his tone softening slightly. “Now, I want you to experience something that will serve you in all aspects of your training: Mana Sight. This will allow you to perceive the flow of mana in the world around you, a sight both enlightening and challenging to maintain. But with practice, it will become your key to reading your surroundings and sensing evocations in action.”
He took a steady breath, his gaze steady. “Close your eyes and focus inward. Mana flows within you now, subtle but constant. Draw it from wherever you sense it, and with intention, filter it toward your vision. Let it overlay what you see, and allow your senses to adjust to the new layer of sight. Once you have it, open your eyes.”
Leon closed his eyes, feeling the excitement settle into concentration. As he searched for the faint streams of energy within himself, he found that they felt like quiet flickers, wisps running through his chest, arms, and legs. With effort, he gathered them, gently urging them toward his eyes.
When he opened his eyes, the world appeared transformed. A delicate, glowing overlay of energy currents wove through the air, lines and whorls of mana softly glowing, moving in unseen streams all around him. He winced at the initial strain—it was like looking at something too bright yet fascinating, the flow of mana glowing vibrantly and casting faint shadows around the edges of his sight.
“Good,” Malchus’s voice cut through, steady and calm. “Mana Sight can be taxing at first, but it will reveal what ordinary sight can’t. Watch closely now as I demonstrate the first three Circles. Observe how the mana moves with each step—its gathering, its attuning, and its transformation as it becomes evocation.”
With that, he stepped back, his figure now standing out even more, outlined in a faint aura. “Now, maintain your Mana Sight as long as you can,” he instructed. “It may be uncomfortable, but watch closely. Each Circle pushes your reach a bit farther from within, beginning with your own body, then moving outward.”
With that, Malchus raised his hand, his fingers flexing slightly. He spoke with a measured tone, each word deliberate. “To begin, we have the First Circle, ‘Self.’ This stage lets you apply a Sigil to the domain of your own body, amplifying or altering aspects of yourself through mana.”
As he gathered mana at his chest—the core of an Evoker’s power—Leon watched in awe as a current of energy seemed to draw toward Malchus’s centre, radiating outward in a soft pulse. “In this case, I’ll use the Enhancement Sigil, directing the mana inward to amplify my physical strength and speed.”
With sudden force, he launched across the training ground, covering a surprising distance in a blur. Through his Mana Sight, Leon saw the mana pulsing through Malchus’s limbs, fueling his enhanced movements. Dust scattered beneath his feet as he stopped with ease, seemingly unaffected.
Malchus turned back, his gaze unwavering as he faced them again. “This is Enhancement applied to Self. By channelling the power of enhancement within, you can amplify aspects like strength, speed, and reflexes—traits bound to your own body.”
Leon felt his pulse quicken. Watching Malchus, he could sense the depth of focus and control required to wield this level of mana manipulation. Seeing the mana itself move within Malchus’s body made the demonstration even more compelling; it was as if he were glimpsing the blueprint of the First Circle’s power.
Malchus then took a step back and drew a gleaming steel sword from his belt. The blade caught the light, and with a measured movement, he held it steady before him.
“Next,” he continued, “is the Second Circle, known as ‘Touch.’ This Circle allows you to extend your control just beyond yourself, transferring mana into any object you’re in direct contact with.”
With a deep breath, Malchus’s mana flared once more, and Leon could feel the shift in the energy surrounding him. As Malchus focused, he spoke each step precisely. “Draw from the mana heart, attune it to the Elemental Sigil—fire in this case—and direct the intent into my weapon as I maintain contact.”
Almost instantly, flames sprang up along the blade, flickering with vibrant energy. Through Mana Sight, Leon saw the mana flowing through Malchus’s hand and into the blade, sparking to life as the sword blazed. The fire integrated seamlessly with the metal, the sword itself becoming an extension of Malchus’s control.
The air around Malchus wavered with heat, and Leon felt the warmth even from a few paces away. His admiration grew as he watched the instructor wield the flame with such ease.
“While I maintain contact,” Malchus continued, “I can imbue my weapon with fire. ‘Touch’ extends your mana just beyond your body, lending power to whatever you hold or touch. Mastery of this Circle means being able to keep it active as long as contact is maintained.”
Leon’s mind raced with the possibilities. The Second Circle allowed an Evoker to channel their power into weapons, armour, and anything else they could touch, turning even mundane objects into extensions of themselves. Watching the mana transfer from Malchus’s hand into the sword helped him understand how tactile this stage was, a step beyond Self, reaching outward to whatever he held.
Finally, Malchus extinguished the flames with a flick of his wrist and turned toward a line of training dummies positioned at the far end of the grounds. His expression grew serious as he addressed the group. “And now, the Third Circle—‘Send.’ This stage allows you to project mana away from yourself, casting it toward a distant target.”
With a swift movement, Malchus gathered mana into his palm, compressing it until it formed a small but fierce ball of fire. “Again, draw from the mana heart, align with the Elemental Sigil, and give it a single intent—this time, release it beyond my own reach.” He drew back and, with a flick of his wrist, hurled the fireball across the distance. It struck a dummy squarely, erupting in flames that reduced it to a smouldering pile.
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“This is the essence of ‘Send,’” Malchus said, his voice clear and steady as he faced the group. “It allows you to cast mana outward, turning it into a weapon or tool at a distance. But remember, once you send it out, you relinquish control—you cannot retrieve or redirect it. Precision and intention are essential.”
Leon felt a thrill of anticipation. Through his Mana Sight, the Third Circle appeared almost explosive, mana releasing with a force that was unbound by the confines of Malchus’s body or touch. The Third Circle embodied the offensive capabilities he’d only ever imagined—no longer bound to physical touch, but a force capable of projecting power across distances.
As Malchus finished his demonstration, he took a step back, the stern edge in his gaze returning as he surveyed each of them. “Mastery of the Circles requires more than strength. It takes discipline, study, and understanding. These stages represent your evolution as Evokers, shaping you into protectors capable of facing forces that no ordinary person can withstand.”
His lips curved into a faint grin, a glint of challenge flashing in his eyes. “Prepare yourselves,” he said, his voice laced with both promise and warning. For a moment, Leon was reminded of Loren—the same quiet intensity, the same quiet thrill in pushing his students to their limits. He knew instinctively that whatever lay ahead would be gruelling, but it would be worth every effort.
As the last embers on the training dummy died down, Malchus took in their faces, noting the strain in their eyes. “You may let your Mana Sight drop now,” he said, a note of approval in his voice. “Keeping it active while observing high levels of mana flow is no small feat.”
Leon exhaled in relief, allowing the overlay of glowing streams to fade from his vision. As the world returned to its normal appearance, he blinked to clear the lingering haze of energy that still seemed imprinted on his eyes. The fatigue of holding Mana Sight—like a quiet ache behind his eyes—began to ease, and he noticed the others rubbing their temples or squeezing their eyes shut momentarily.
Malchus waited, giving them a moment to readjust, his gaze still calm and assessing. “Mana Sight will become less taxing with practice. Eventually, you’ll be able to activate and sustain it without discomfort. But it’s essential that you learn to manage it early—both when to use it and when to let it go.”
Leon’s vision felt sharper now, more grounded, and he glanced around at the others, feeling a sense of shared accomplishment. This first glimpse of mana in action—woven through each Circle—had been as exhausting as it was exhilarating. And yet, as he looked back to Malchus, he felt the anticipation of learning more settle over him anew.
“Now,” Malchus continued, his expression regaining its usual gravity, “let’s move forward with an understanding of the tools that will guide your growth: the Sigils. Sigils are broad conceptual anchors that allow you to direct mana with purpose. Think of them as keys to accessing specific applications of mana, each one serving as a foundation for countless evocations.”
He held up a hand, his fingers splayed, and Leon noticed a faint shimmer as mana gathered around it. “Your task, as Evokers, is to learn and master Sigils. However,” he added with a raised brow, “it’s rare for any Evoker to fully master more than a handful in their lifetime. That’s why, once you’ve completed your Circle ritual, we will start with two foundational Sigils—those that provide the greatest utility and are straightforward enough to give you a practical understanding.”
He straightened, folding his arms as he began to explain. “The two Sigils you will begin with are Enhancement and Healing. Now, Enhancement is simple enough—it's based on the concept of improvement. You’ll start with enhancing your own physical abilities, as I demonstrated, and you’ll find that if you can focus on making yourself stronger or faster, you can easily extend that intent to other physical traits as well. It’s intuitive, even to the untrained.”
Leon leaned in, interested. Malchus’s tone shifted slightly, becoming more instructional. “When you think of Enhancement, don’t think of it as some abstract concept. Consider it part of who you are already. Each time you train, your body gets stronger, your reflexes sharper—that is enhancement at its core. Mana simply allows you to accelerate that process and expand it beyond what’s naturally possible. Understand this, and Enhancement will become second nature.”
Malchus paused, watching their reactions before moving on. “The second Sigil we focus on early is Healing. Most of you already have a basic understanding of how the body mends—a cut closes on its own, bones knit together with time. That instinctual knowledge is the foundation upon which we build. Your training will include basic medical principles because Healing isn’t just a matter of closing a wound—it’s knowing what lies beneath it. By understanding the human body, you direct mana with the precision needed to effectively heal.”
A few students exchanged glances, and Leon noticed a mix of excitement and nerves on their faces. Malchus caught the look and smirked faintly.
“You’ll be responsible for these two Sigils and encouraged to practise them daily once you’ve completed your Circle ritual,” Malchus said, his tone firm. “They are broad concepts, but that makes them effective training grounds for control. By learning how to effectively enhance yourself and others and understanding the delicate processes of healing, you gain not just power, but resilience and self-reliance.”
He looked each of them in the eye, one by one. “After the ritual, your connection to mana will be far more stable, and these Sigils will become like extensions of yourselves. But keep this in mind: mastery of Sigils is never instant. Take your time to understand the principles behind each one. There will be countless opportunities to explore new Sigils, but they will require your utmost patience and discipline.”
Leon felt a swell of anticipation at the thought of wielding both Enhancement and Healing. Mastery seemed daunting, but there was something grounding about Malchus’s practical approach. Enhancement wasn’t some mystical force—it was training, it was growth. Healing wasn’t just closing wounds—it was understanding the intricacies of the human body.
As Malchus continued, he looked out over the group, his gaze turning sombre as he considered his next words.
"Now, you might wonder," he said, "why we focus on Enhancement and Healing as your first Sigils. The answer is simple: they are your lifeline. In battle, Enhancement enables you to endure, to be stronger, faster, and more resilient. Healing, meanwhile, is what allows you to survive, to recover from injuries quickly enough to stay in the fight. They aren’t just tools—they’re necessities.”
He let the weight of this sink in before continuing. “Every Evoker faces battle sooner or later. Against demons, you’ll need both physical strength and the ability to recover swiftly from whatever they throw at you. Until you’re ready to close a rift, the Empire will deploy you as support, usually to reinforce or protect locations near rifts. Your training in these Sigils will ensure that when the time comes, you can fight, survive, and help others do the same.”
The air grew tense at the mention of rifts, and Leon felt a tightening in his chest. Malchus’s gaze didn’t waver as he went on.
“For those of you wondering when you’ll be ready to close a rift yourself—know that this duty falls only to Evokers who’ve reached the Third Circle. By then, you’ll have mastered the ability to channel mana at a distance, to ‘Send’ it where it’s needed. To close a rift, an Evoker must project mana directly into it, as the corruption cannot be touched or controlled up close. Attempting to channel mana into a rift at the First or even Second Circle would be…fatal.”
Leon felt the weight of those words settle over him like a leaden cloak. Malchus's tone, while calm, left no room for misunderstanding.
“So for now,” Malchus said, his voice steady, “you’ll focus on the fundamentals. Use Enhancement to strengthen and protect yourself, Healing to recover and aid others. These two Sigils are the foundation of every Evoker’s survival, and the skills you build here will determine your effectiveness and your resilience.”
He crossed his arms, glancing at each student in turn. “The Empire counts on us because only we can seal rifts. Your path to that responsibility starts here—with mastering these basic Sigils. The strength to face those demons and the power to heal will ensure you’re prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Malchus’s voice softened, but his gaze remained unwavering. “Remember: no rift waits for an Evoker to be ready. So when that time comes, you must be prepared.”