A Risky New Spell

Alaric sighed, dropping the heavy stack of magical spellbooks onto the rickety old table with a loud thud. He wiped sweat from his wrinkled forehead. None of the fancy new spells he tried worked right anymore. His magic just fizzled like a sparkler in the rain.

Mara gently put her hand on his slumped shoulder. "It's okay the spells aren't working great yet. We'll figure this magic stuff out together," she said with an encouraging smile. Alaric frowned, frustrated his skills got so rusty. He used to be so awesome at magic! What good was he now against bad guys like Nullcrest if he couldn't battle with cool spells?

Just then, the secret cellar doors banged open loudly. Vickson clomped down the creaky wooden stairs. "We've got big trouble!" Vickson shouted. "Nullcrest soldiers are marching this way hunting for us! They're spreading nasty crystals that make magic go dead. We need to blast them with powerful spells before they get here!"

Alaric grimaced, nerves tightening his chest. This was Vickson's rebel base in the Evermist Forest. If Nullcrest's anti-magic troops attacked them here directly, lots of lives would be at risk. Including Mara, his best friend. Mara gave Alaric's hand a little squeeze. "It'll be okay. Let's pack up your spellbooks quickly," she said.

Vickson glared at Alaric. "Well, mighty wizard? Gonna zap those Nullcrest goons with some hardcore magic when they show up?" He pointed at Alaric's glowing wand sitting on the desk. "Last chance to step up and boom them!"

Alaric's throat felt dry and scratchy. His hands shook a little reaching for the spellbooks. Sure he talked big about fighting back. But now Nullcrest was actually coming! Could his fading magic still protect people? What if he failed again...?

Researching Forbidden Magic

Back at their hideout hut, Alaric scribbled intensely, trying to create an awesome battle spell using a dusty old book full of forbidden magic. If he could get this right, it would be super powerful! But risky, too. Mara bit her lip watching him. Magic that strong could maybe hurt the land if done wrong.

"I dunno if we should use strange new spells without testing more..." Mara said nervously. She wanted to drive back Nullcrest's soldiers but not by accidental forest fires or anything!

Alaric shrugged, not glancing up from his frantic note-taking. "Desperate times, kiddo. We need big magic to shield this place. Don't gotta be pretty - just strong enough!" He pointed his wand at a potted plant, muttering a test incantation. FIZZ! Only sputtering green and purple sparks came out instead of protective shields. Mara and Alaric groaned loudly.

Just then Vickson stomped into the hut. "Nullcrest patrols spotted nearby! If we can't zap them pronto, everyone's evacuating camps deeper into the woods." He glared at wasted spell ingredients bubbling in pots and messy stacks of books everywhere. "I knew washed up wizard couldn't cut it..." he grumbled stomping back outside.

Alaric frowned defeated and sad, staring at his wheezy old wand. Could he really not help his friends using magic he spent his whole life learning?

Seeking Percival's Guidance

Alaric packed up his messy piles of books and notes. No amazing battle spells came from all his attempts. But an old teacher might know long lost tricks to fix his broken magic! "Let's go visit my professor Percival. He trained me back in the day," Alaric told Mara. "If anyone knows some secret sauce to un-rust my skills, he will."

Several bumpy wagon rides later, Alaric and Mara walked through tall looming gates into the Grand Academy campus where Alaric learned his craft. The towering stone wizard school hadn't changed at all in years. Being back gave Alaric good memories of his glory days as a fancy Honor Student.

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Inside Percival's crowded office, Mara wrinkled her nose at the weird smells from bubbling potion vials and pickled monster bits floating in jars. Dusty books stacked to the ceiling made the cramped room feel like a scary magic cave. It was hard imagining young Alaric spending long days cooped up here! Compared to glowing forests the rebels guarded now.

Percival was busy teaching three new students a glow worm charm. The old mage had long silver hair down to his waist and a twisty beard like tangled cobwebs. His voice sounded papery and old. "Ah, greetings students! Let this bright spell light your paths," Percival said slowly. The little trainees copied him eagerly, chanting tricky magic words.

When the charm lesson finished, Percival saw Alaric waiting by the door and broke into a snaggle-toothed grin. "Well now, look who the wyvern dragged in! Fancy meeting you here, my once most gifted apprentice. It's been ages!" The old friends hugged with big hearty pats on the back. Alaric introduced Percival to Mara who couldn't stop staring wide-eyed at strange things floating in jars all over the office.

"Soooo I actually need your help with a magic problem, teach," Alaric began, plopping down in an uncomfortable wooden chair. "My spells fizzle way more than they should lately. And Nullcrest's anti-magic troops are literally marching against our rebel base as we speak! Think you can juice up my talents like old times?"

Percival raised one bushy grey eyebrow, frowning slightly. "Your skills faded after that nasty battle... through no fault of mine." He waved one knobby finger. "I warned you were not ready facing such a formidable foe alone. But you were always too bold and arrogant, never patient for proper preparations."

Alaric's smile faded at the scolding as Percival continued. "Had you continued formal studies here instead of chasing renegade glory, your gifts would be far stronger now when trials loom greatest." The old mage rummaged through his messy shelves, knocking things over until finding a crimson spellbook etched with shimmering gold runes. "You may yet redeem lost potential and rally the magical defenders in their hour of need, but only through disciplines long abandoned, never shortcuts chasing fame as in impetuous youth..."

Unlocking Greater Potential

Sunset shadows stretched across the quiet forest camp. Everyone held breath anxiously watching Alaric finish drawing a giant, intricate spell circle with white chalk and gem dust. This inspiring new magic Percival gave him would shield whole areas hopefully! Bright white and purple sparks crackled from Alaric's wand tip as he slowly stepped into the spell seal. Mara crossed her fingers nervously behind her back.

Ancient runes on the crimson spellbook glowed brighter as Alaric's voice boomed out loud magic words. Ghostly spirit guardians flew up from the chalk lines, awaiting his command against the dark forest edge where Vickson's scouts reported crystal-wielding Nullcrest troops fast approaching.

This was Alaric's big chance redeeming his reputation as protector of the hidden forest haven and all the refugees who now called it home relying on strong magic keeping them safe. No pressure! With a deep breath he shouted the last enchantment phrase feeling magic swell up inside ready to erupt with incredible power like old times of legend. Vickson and other rebels watched eyes wide from behind trees, holding their breath...

Just then, instead of a crystal clear magic dome curtaining over the camp, the whole spell circle backfired into chaotic storm clouds shooting out crackling lightning everywhere! Mara yelped a warning and tackled Alaric away just before hot pink lightning zapped the ground he stood on! Everyone raced for cover from the berserk magic gone wrong.

When the storm finally fizzled out, Vickson stomped up red-faced glaring daggers at a sheepish Alaric covered in leaves and dust sitting on the forest floor. "That's it! No more crazy experiments that nearly get us barbecued!" Vickson jabbed Alaric's chest with one finger. "You keep promising powerful battle magic and nearly blow us all to bits! Why don't you just man up and embrace REAL power for once?!"

Alaric's head sagged defeated watching Vickson stride away yelling for his squad. Looked like he couldn't help much if spells went nuts instead of shielding friends like before. What if his magic was too far gone to get back? Mara sat quietly holding his hand while Alaric frowned staring hopelessly at his still sparking wand reflecting the campfires flickering low where circles of worried rebels whispered uncertain futures.