“Anyways, come have dinner when you have time. There are many in the city who would be happy to have you.” She says, before letting out a sigh. “But the Sapphire College has been pestering me. They want you to give a lecture, but I'm not sure they really want it,” Margaret says with a laugh.

Fahran smiles. “Why is that?” He asks.

Margaret puts a hand on Farhan’s arm. “They don’t know you like I do. The beliefs behind your power. The college would see many of your teachings as wrong.” She says with a shake of her head. “You grew to this stage by walking through flames; it is not something that the college is looking for. They wish to ensure sure and stable steps, and strong foundations. Your frivolous advice could push them to the edge.” She says, a bit disappointed.

Fahran’s eyes widen. “I’m not a brute, Margaret. I understand the importance of solid steps.” He says in defense.

Margaret rubs his arm. “I know, I know. It’s just that… Is very much dependent on your mood.” She says with a sigh. “I don’t think you realize it, but sometimes, there is a bite to your words. A hint of cruelty.” She says.

Fahran lets out a sigh. “I suppose it can’t be helped. It was how I was raised. But maybe now… Maybe I can learn to be gentle.” He says.

Margaret smiles.

…

…

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

There is something to be said, about value, the worth in ideas, in people.

Magic works in a similar way; it is an economy of energy. A landscape of passwords, secrets, and like all energy, it is a landscape of power.

For many things, like dark magic, the energy of your spells, would require a price.

Sometimes, with magic, all you require is a key, a whisper of words.

Sometimes it is a completion of karma, and sometimes it’s an abundance of tangled webs, accidents, bile blood, and ghosts.

In addition, with magic, there is what’s within you, and what’s available, to the outside world.

Sometimes you can call thunder from the sky, if the heavens hear your call.

Sometimes, the fire, is within you, all you must do, is let it flow out.

Magic, it is both giving something away, and taking it, it is in the liminal space, between these things.

It is your mom’s panties…

Fahran lets out a cough. Damn, I’ve been smoking too much weed. He says, almost thinking he’s gone senile.

In essence, magic will exist, whether we accept it or not. It is up to those, who hear its call, to allow it to flow into the world.

…

…

Fahran was scratching his head. He was trying to come up with a lecture for the Sapphire College, but for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out to say.

What would he even speak about?

They were all experienced mages, so it shouldn’t be anything basic.

And… there was a structure and flow, to the Sapphire College.

A sort of… nobility existed within the faculty members.

These were not uneducated fools; they’ve all seen the world, and their wealth of knowledge, was immense.

The vastness of the world, magical law, experts in every field; masters of the mind, warriors, architects.

They were a very strict bunch, and they very much held it dear to their hearts, the laws of the kingdom.

Fahran lets out a sigh. I could maybe talk about something like… the World Tree…

It’s something he’s taken a great interest in studying. The vast network of worlds, connected to this tree.

Each branch, was essentially a portal, worlds within worlds, secrets, oceans, stories and adventure, love, humanity, wrath and the abyss, pockets, of heaven and dreams.

Fahran used to think of it; exploring the World Tree, conquer and consume, what he could.

But the world was such a vast place, the East and the West extend, if he had enough time, he would explore as much as he could.