Magic Training Gone Wrong
Alaric carefully drew a huge glowing circle with magical chalk on the stone floor of the empty castle tower. This tricky new spell Percival showed him in their last lesson looked super powerful! But mega complicated too. Alaric squinted at the faded spellbook pages, silently sounding out the strange magical words needed. He realllly wanted to get the cool battle spell right to protect his friends better against bad guy Nullcrest soldiers trying to squash all magic with their anti-magic crystals. Only issue was Percival warned the incomplete spell versions blew up dummy targets pretty badly...Gulping nervously, Alaric triple checked his glowy chalk circles matched the book's pictures exactly before stepping into the very middle part.
"Here goes nothing! Or maybe everything..." Holding out his wooden wizard wand, Alaric closed his eyes gathering up mystical energy from the air. He whispered the first odd sounding spell words, trying to ignore his thumping heart. At first only pale blue mist spilled from his wand tip. But the smoke threads got brighter and thicker as Alaric repeated the spell poem over and over, voice rising excitedly. Was his magic finally working right?!
KABOOM!! A huge blast suddenly exploded from the spell circle, blasting poor Alaric completely off his feet! He crashed on his back seeing tweeting birdies circle his head like in cartoons. "Owwww..." moaned the wizard, struggling up slowly with his smoky robes full of scorch holes. What happened?! The mega spell totally backfired instead of making amazing weapons or shields like it was supposed to!
Now Alaric's ears rang badly as he limped downstairs, wincing at every step. Maybe trying such strong battle magic without more practice got messy. Percival warned impatience caused trouble! If only regaining his former talents was faster. Alaric used be the best at wizard school! Now it was like re-training little kid muscles to get back his magic strength. So frustrating!
Message From The Spirit World
Still grumbling, Alaric hobbled outside towards the castle's broken bridge looking pretty pitiful. Most days he came out here alone to practice spells so nobody saw all his goof-ups. Suddenly a glowing lady floated down from the sky dressed in beautiful rainbow robes! Alaric rubbed his eyes confused in case he had hit his head too hard. Nope - she looked completely real drifting there before him!
"Apologies Lady Spirit! I'm just struggling getting my magic working right again," Alaric began, not wanting to seem rude in case she was super important supernatural royalty. Though he still couldn't help staring amazed.
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The magical glow lady gave Alaric a patient smile. "You seek external power before mastering inner discipline, young sorcerer," she said kindly. "Magic flows from spiritual centers first then amplifies connections through the mortal frame." Her voice reminded Alaric of sweet harp music.
She waved one sparkly hand drawing smoky symbols that shifted mystically in the air. "The ethereal realms offer much to perceptive students ready to observe quietly before attempting control." Alaric watched wide-eyed as visions filled his mind translating the symbols of creatures and landscapes from far spirit worlds! It felt like amazing dreams but he was totally awake!
Attempting Advanced Magic Too Quickly
"Incredible!" Alaric gasped excitedly, circling slowly around the magical shapes still hanging smoky in the air. He could glimpse terrible battles, glowing rituals, and weird creatures dancing together through the sneaky spirit world window!
"Can I peek closer into ghost lands?" he asked the sparkling mentor lady. She frowned slightly shaking her head. "My projections only grant insight not passage, young one. Raw spirit planes unfettered prove... intense for the mortal frame."
But Alaric was already leaning closer to the magical windows, one hand reaching unconsciously to touch the tantalizing images. As his fingers brushed a glowing portal rim, suddenly Alaric's whole body jolted like he stuck his finger into a major electricity socket! Buzzing energy blasted up his arm about to explode right out his shocked face! The magical lady dove fast as lightning, pushing Alaric down hard just as KA-POWIE!! His unstable magic backfired completely with hot pink explosions bursting all around them!!
Coughing smoke, Alaric blinked weakly up at his glowing guide now surrounded by mini craters all over the bridge stones. "Uh sorry about that, O Radiant One..." he offered sheepishly surrounded by small fires. Maybe he got too excited again about fast progress. Percival warned focusing inward to control reckless hunger necessary before accessing more power levels. Alaric still had lots more practicing restraint apparently!
A Helpful Lesson In Humility
The sparkling robed lady patiently helped beat out smoldering spots on Alaric's messy robes. "No lasting harm upon the overeager student merely needing mindfulness of limitations." Alaric nodded politely at the light scolding. He totally messed up respecting spirit world barriers in his haste trying to regain his former magic strength.
"How long before I can master super spells again?" Alaric wondered out loud. He still imagined battling alongside Vickson against enemy armies. The magical mentor smiled thoughtfully. "Perhaps future generations may carry forward Promethean flames igniting destined renaissances upholding justice when epochal hour comes round again."
Alaric sighed but understood destiny unfolds beyond impatient timelines. He made mistakes rushing too fast into advanced power levels, just like old teachings warned. Maybe he should keep practicing helpful spells for common people instead of battle magics now. Who knows what futures young mages might yet bring!